In These Otsego Hills

April 10, 2008 08:54 am

— We must say that we always greatly enjoy discussing issues whenever we find ourselves in the position to do so. As a result, over the years we have had not only some very interesting discussions, but also some very unusual topics. And we are, of course, always amazed at the wide range of opinions voiced regarding almost any issue.

For example, recently, at the Literary Discussion Group’s meeting, while discussing “The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey” by Candice Millard we noted the huge leaps in technology over the past 100 years. Yet we find it important to note that even with all of our technological advances, there are many people in this world who do not have access to drinkable water. According to the article “On World Water Day, a mighty global thirst,” which appeared in the March 20 edition of the Christian Science Monitor, “Oceans splash across most of the earth’s surface. But they contain saltwater, unfit for human consumption. Only a tiny fraction of the world’s water — about 2.5 percent — is drinkable. That still would be an ample supply if it were clean and available where needed. It’s not. Today some 1.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water ...”

We find this lack of drinkable water to be disturbing and said so at the meeting. One of the other participants jumped into the discussion with the statement that not even Cooperstown has drinkable water. We were stunned.

We could not imagine what this person was talking about. Granted, we know that there are people, most of whom prefer their own well water, who are not big on the taste of Cooperstown water. But it had never occurred to us than anyone would think it was not safe to drink.

When the conversation continued with the fact that this woman boils the water from the tap before she will drink it, we were flabbergasted.

We cannot imagine there would be any health reason which would require boiling the tap water in Cooperstown. Why, we were asked, couldn’t the village put a big filter on the water system? We were tempted to say we thought that was what the water plant was all about but decided it was not worth the effort. Granted, there have been boil water orders in Cooperstown. The one that stands out in our mind was the time the beaver dam broke on the west side of the lake, pouring gallons of water into the lake raising the question of contamination of the water supply.

But beyond that sort of problem, we feel the water is just fine and any suggestion that it should be boiled is unnecessary. Of course, if anyone wishes to boil the water that is certainly his or her choice.

No doubt boiling the water would remove what little chlorine might be in it. At least that is our conclusion from our on-line search which raised the question of removing chlorine from water so as not to harm indoor plants when watering them.

It was pointed out that boiling the water would remove the chlorine although it was thought to be a waste of energy as letting the water sit out for a few days would accomplish the same thing. It was also noted that there is, in all probability, not enough chlorine in the water to actually harm any household plants. And we must say that our plants don’t seem to mind as we regularly water them with tap water.

And, although we did not get into it at the Literary Discussion Group meeting, we suppose, when discussing drinkable water, the heavy use in this country of bottled water should be a part of the conversation. Another Christian Science Monitor article “The Battle Over Bottled vs. Tap Water,” which appeared in the Jan. 17 edition, notes: “By now, most Americans have heard reports that point to the amount of oil it takes to produce and transport bottled water, in addition to the masses of plastic bottles that are used once and not recycled. But most American consumers don’t seem to be changing their habits.

“Since 2002, the US market has seen an increase in bottled water production of more than 9 percent per year, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation. After soft drinks, water has been the second-largest commercial beverage by volume since 2003. Production for 2007 is projected to be more than 9 billion gallons, with revenues clocking in just under $12 billion.”

Good grief! $12 billion seems like a lot of money to us, especially when it is pointed out that good old tap water costs about 1/2000th of the price. And, of course, we can’t help but note the irony of this county spending that amount of money on water to drink when drinkable water is available at virtually every tap, while so many in the world do not have access to drinkable water.

And while we well understand the convenience of bottled water, using a water bottle, dutifully filled from the tap, accomplishes the task in much the same way. In closing, we feel we must salute the Cooperstown water department for the job they do in providing safe, and ever so drinkable, water to the residents of the village as well as its many visitors. We are always very grateful that when we turn on the tap, the water is there to meet our every water need. Unfortunately, we realize only too well that not everyone in the world is that fortunate.

We remain,
In these Otsego hills,
The Ellsworths

The Ellsworths may be reached by mail at 105 Pioneer St., Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326, by telephone at 547- 8124 or by e-mail at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com.