Yes, A Boil Water mandate. Sunday night we went to bed hydrated and Monday morning we woke to find Austin plunged into widespread and prolonged mild inconvenience.
Here's a rough time line of events this week:
Monday, October 22 - 6:00am -- City holds press conference, announces immediate mandatory Boil Water declaration. Really? 6AM in the morning??
Monday, October 22 - 7:00am -- Social Media begins showing pictures of bare grocery store shelves; proclaims that there is no bottled water to be had. I take comfort that I filled the coffee pot last night, so my morning coffee is pre-ban, and therefore safe.
Monday, October 22 - 8:00am -- HEB says, "We got this. Give us a few hours to get the trucks on the way.
Monday, October 22 - 9:00am -- Next Door member rats out corner Texaco station charging $30 for 12-pack of bottled water,
Monday, October 22 - 10:00am -- Attorney General Up_for_Re-election files price gouging suit against corner Texaco. $20,000 fine. Per instance. Bring your receipts, folks.
Monday, October 22 - 11:00am -- We have boiled and set aside about 5 gallons of water. As has every other Austin Water utility customer.
Monday, October 22 - 11:15am -- Social Media: "Attention Aggies. You need to let the water COOL before you drink it!"
Monday, October 22 - 11:30am -- Social Media: Most Starbucks are closing. "Sorry, can't deal with this."
Monday, October 22 - 12:00pm -- Chuy's: "Of course we are open. We know how to boil water. You want queso to go with that burrito?"
Monday, October 22 - 4:00pm -- City of Austin: "Stop! You are using too much water! We can't keep up!" Well, duh! Every water customer just drew out about 5 extra gallons of water! What did you think was going to happen?
Tuesday, October 23 - 9:00am -- City of Austin: Press briefing explains that problem is "that our water source has had millions of gallons of silt and debris-laden water dumped into it from upstream, and the treatment plants are struggling with water that is 400% 'dirtier' than usual and falling way behind." No indication that water is actually not safe to drink. "Matter of overabundant caution."
Tuesday, October 23 - 9:00am -- HEB: "Y'all need to come get this water. These pallets are in our way."
Tuesday, October 23 - 12:00pm -- City of Pflugerville: "Hey, we don't have a water problem and ALL our restaurants are open."
Tuesday, October 23 - 3:00pm -- LCRA spokesperson: "This may last 'till Halloween."
Tuesday, October 23 - 3:01pm -- Mayor Up_for_Re-election: "No, no. This is only going to last a handful of days."
Tuesday, October 23 - 3:02pm -- Social Media: "How many is a handful?"
Tuesday, October 23 - 3:03pm -- City Water Chief: "Uh, not so fast, Mayor Up_for_Re-election."
Tuesday, October 23 - 4:00pm -- Water Chief: "Okay, we are now treating water faster than we are using it." Mayor did not attend briefing.
Wednesday, October 24 - 9:00am -- Ross' Cafe, our Wednesday breakfast stop: All good except for ice maker. Your choice if you want ice or not. Most restaurants and cafes are business as usual, just selling canned drinks and serving everything as take-out. No dish-washing.
Wednesday, October 24 - 4:00pm -- Press briefing: "No bacterial problem with water, but doesn't pass state 'turbidity' standard. Required by law to declare Boil Water." Mayor nowhere in sight.
Thursday, October 25 - 9:00am -- City of Austin: Announces various locations to obtain free water.
Thursday, October 25 - 9:30am -- Social Media: Traffic jams at all free water locations.
Thursday, October 25 - 10:00am -- HEB: "Y'all - we're only charging 79 cents a gallon for water! You'll spend more idling your car in line. Seriously."
Thursday, October 25 - 12:00pm -- White House: "It's the Democrat's fault."
Thursday, October 25 - 2:00pm -- White House: "It's the Media's fault."
Thursday, October 25 - 2:30pm -- Mayor Up_for_Re-election: Signed a disaster declaration, allowing the city to request reimbursement for expenses related to weather emergencies.
Thursday, October 25 - throughout the day -- Social Media, Next Door members weigh in:
"Don't forget your pets. Be sure you use boiled water for your dog."
"Are you kidding? My dog drinks out of the toilet!"
"OMG! I forgot and brushed my teeth with tap water! What to do?"
"Rinse your mouth with some Purell."
"Everybody should move to Manor."
"Can't. Have to wash dishes before I can sell my house."
"Can you get
from drinking non-boiled water?
Friday, October 26 - 10:00am -- Statesman: Blame Game begins. Mayor Up_for_Re-election and City Council passes resolution requiring complete and thorough investigation of Austin's BoilWaterGate crisis.
Friday, October 26 - 10:30am -- Water Chief responds to City Council: "Have you looked out the front door of City Hall at the color of the water in the river? #NotOurFault
Friday, October 26 - 10:30am -- Politicos who voted for 4th water treatment plant 2 years ago: "See! We told you that we needed that plant!"
Friday, October 26 - 10:32am -- Politicos who voted against 4th water treatment plant 2 years ago: "See! We told you that that plant was a waste of money!"
Friday, October 26 - 2:30pm -- Water Chief: "Sunday afternoon/evening is ‘operating target’ for lifting boil-water order."
Friday, October 26 - 3:00pm -- White House: "Calling out National Guard."
Saturday, October 27 - throughout the day -- Social Media: Ho hum.
Sunday, October 28 - 3:30pm -- City of Austin: "Crisis is over! Drink up!"
Sunday, October 28 - 4:00pm --Various local vendors: "I Survived BoilWaterGate! tee shirts and coffee mugs now on sale. Get yours while supplies last."
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