http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw3049_19991221.htm

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Fill tub on Dec. 31, Detroit water system says

December 21, 1999, 7:59 AM

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit water system says it's been working hard for years to get ready for the new millennium. But just in case, it wouldn't hurt to fill the tub on New Year's Eve.

Nearly half of Michigan residents rely on the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department -- about 4 million customers in 126 southeastern Michigan communities.

The department said it has been working since 1997 to eliminate any problems related to Y2K computer glitches and make sure that water service continues without interruption.

In a statement Monday, it said it "has put in place a Y2K readiness team as well as a six-step plan to address Y2K issues as recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

The water department said it has spent more than $50 million on Y2K preparedness.

Even so, it is urging people to take some precautions:

--Storing three days worth of emergency water. It recommends one gallon per person per day.

--Filling the bathtub with water no later than 10 p.m. Dec. 31 for use in washing and flushing the toilet.

--Conserving water if pressure lowers.

--If electricity fails, turning off the water at the water meter to prevent frozen pipes.

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), December 21, 1999

Answers

Wouldn't that....like.... put a major strain on the system??? Like everyone picking up the phone at the same time.

-- (Here@today.com), December 21, 1999.

And to think people look at me like I'm wacky when I say I'll be filling the tubs in my house on New Year's eve. I've got four tubs, one's a BIG jacuzzi. In all I wonder how many gallons of water that covers. Anyone know the average tub size???

Also, even if all appears well, I'm planning on keeping them full through the weekend. We can shower in a stall shower we have. But problems, I figure could start to surface on the 3rd when people go back to work.

And I won't be drinking any tap water for the first few days. I figure if the city of LA could back up sewage into a park and not know it, then my water company could have problems with the water and not know it until people start getting sick.

Anyone else feel the same/differently?

-- Duke 1983 (Duke1983@AOL.com), December 21, 1999.

We have lived / worked in innumerable homes / facilities / apts / condos / etc, and we have not yet found a bathtub that will hold water more than 24 hours! The water slowly drains out. What are we doing wrong? We've tried all sorts of plugs, plastic liners, etc -- nothing holds. Somebody please tell how to plug the bathtub effectively.

It takes 2 gallons of water whooshing out of a bucket to really flush the toilet well. Glug-glug-glug out of a narrow-necked bottle won't do it properly. Ya need a lot more water, in general, than ya might imagine. The average American uses, yes, 150 gallons of water per day. This 1 gallon / per person / per day stuff will not keep you clean!

Water barrels are more dependable than bathtubs. Also, many folks have been saving their juice / water / pop bottles. Time to clean those and fill with water. Do it now.

Water is of the utmost importance.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), December 21, 1999.

According to this number from the EPA.gov website:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact, the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, Telephone (800) 426-4791. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline is open Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time....

There are currently NO Federal regs regarding how disinfectants are placed into a water system at a treatment facility.

My state folks informed me that chlorine gas is injected into the water at larger treatment plants by valves which are monitored by meters. The meters are monitored by plant workers. Some of the smaller treatment plants in my state do not add disinfectants at all, but simply leaching out disinfectants through a septic system.

My local folks were inaccessible. But I'm sure everything will be fine. Tap water bacteria levels are generally so bad it's really almost undrinkable now.

(from the Springfield News-Leader):...But new federal law mandates that, as of this fall, all suppliers serving more than two dozen people must file annual Consumer Confidence Reports.

Based on those reports, an analysis of 382 community water systems in the Ozarks shows:

In tests for coliform bacteria, a leading standard to determine water quality, 114 systems turned in positive samples, with 78  one in five  in violation of state regulations and requiring immediate action.

Seventeen systems found fecal coliform, which comes from human or animal waste.

More than 40 systems found radioactive contaminants that exceeded recommended levels.

The 14 water suppliers with the most infractions in southwest Missouri were also the states leading violators....

-- Slurp (sittin@thewaters.edge), December 21, 1999.

Ashton & Leska,

In my experience, plasticene works really well as a tub stopper. You can also stuff it into the auxiliary/emergency drain hole near the tap, which will give you a few more inches' depth. Learned this from midwives.

Hope you're both feeling better.

-- silver ion (willmiss@hot.tubs), December 21, 1999.

Ashton & Leska

You can also try "test plugs" available at home depot or any plumbing supply. About $4 each.

-- Beans (drpete00@hotmail.com), December 21, 1999.

Watch for pubes in bathtub

-- (perfection@all.orifices), December 21, 1999.

put vaseline around the plug to seal the cracks

-- Frank (carder@bellsouth.net), December 21, 1999.

I wonder if plastic wrapping tape would be any good?

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), December 21, 1999.

Silver Ion ----- What is Plasticene, and where do you purchase it?

-- thinkIcan (thinkIcan@make.it), December 21, 1999.

Plastecine/plastilina is that green grey oil based clay that is sold in craft stores. You can also use children's clay, but not playdoh.

I was going to suggest filling a baggie with water and stuffing it in the drain before putting on the plug - but this is better.

-- Mary (CAgdma@home.com), December 21, 1999.

A & L,

Try using duct tape and saranwrap. Make sure the tub is completely dry around the drain before afixing the tape.

-- Nathan (nospam@all.com), December 21, 1999.

ashton and leska

put a 4 mil clear plastic sheet in the tub, tape it around the lip, after you have put a stopper in the drain, voila a food grade clean liner, should be no problem. 4 mil sheet of poly costs about $5 around here, painters use it for drop cloths, vapor barriers in concrete etc.

when i was in college we would get some plumbers putty and place this over a drain the mash a piece of glass down on top of it, it held the fruit juice and grain alcohol ...er.. i mean water real well.

good luck, al

ps. i have enjoyed your posts for many months while lurking on this site.

-- al (alco@pathway.net), December 21, 1999.

BTW...

glug glug glug from a narrow neck bottle will flush a toilet just dandy....

IF....

You fill the tank and flush as normal! Once a day should do it. Anybody that can carry a mason jar can flush the toilet. Just fill the tank.

-- art (artwelling@mindspring.com), December 21, 1999.