‘Aquapocalypse’ hits Somerville

On May 5, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

City employees
give out bottled water to thirsty residents Monday. ~Photo by Bobbie
Toner

Before ban lifted, city
distributes water to kids, seniors and families

By George P. Hassett

By the end of
'Aquapocalypse', the name given to the three day ban on tap water after a water
main break in Weston, Somerville officials had handed out almost 6,000 gallons
of water.

On Monday, one day before Governor Deval Patrick declared the
water safe to drink again, 1,828 cases of bottled water were distributed from
two locations in the city, the Department of Public Works yard and the East
Somerville Community School site.

At the East Somerville Community School
site 1,468 cases of water were given out. At the DPW yard, 360 were
distributed.

City officials estimated 1,094 households were served by the
water giveaway. Priority was given to school buildings and senior housing
buildings, city officials said.

In city schools, water bubbler's were
covered with plastic and masking tape to prevent children from drinking. The
food service department served a special menu and only sealed beverages while
the ban was in effect. Boiled water was available in every
school.

Building inspectors from the city contacted or visited all
restaurants, sandwich shops, coffee shops, convenience stores and taverns and
provided verbal and written instructions regarding water boiling
procedures.