Tap Turns On The Water

Another year, another Three Kings celebration. At least it was not as cold as it has been in the past when the “Kings” turned up yesterday at the pier in Puerto Alcúdia. And today marks the end of the protracted festivity period, until the next one in ten days’ time.

To other matters, specifically water. Just prior to going back to England for Christmas, the story broke about the problems with the water in Muro (Playa de Muro). Why it had taken since September for this to become an issue, I don’t know. September it was when residents were being warned about the quality of the drinking water. At least that is what is claimed. First I knew about the warning was the article in “Ultima Hora” just before Christmas. I had received no notification, yet I live in Playa de Muro.

So much for communication. The water company can join the growing list of lousy PR exponents – together with Juaneda. But what of the water problem? Basically, it has all to do with a load of nitrates – too many of them in the water supply. The question I have is why was it only admitted in September (albeit that I didn’t hear about it). I fancy that a nitrate problem doesn’t just suddenly arise.

The reporting of this has been curious. For a kick off, the water company was not named, either in Ultima Hora or in “Euro Weekly” (which ran the misleading headline that Muro residents had been without water, which was not the case). Well, the water company for this area is Fusosa, so presumably it is they who are responsible for the water quality.

The company says that a government department ordered them to issue the warning. Why should it require the department’s intervention for a water company to warn people over a potential health hazard? No points, once more, for terrific PR. It goes on to say that the problem will only be rectified by the building of a desalination unit (whenever that might be). So, in the meantime, residents are advised not to drink the tap water. But how long has this been a problem? As I say, I cannot believe it suddenly became a problem in September.

For my part, I do not drink the water, and have long used bottled water, especially after people complained that tea and coffee tasted salty (and that was a few years ago). It should not be necessary. In fact, the water company should be liable to compensate residents who have had to buy bottled water – in my opinion. Tap water is generally always sound, whether in Mallorca or Britain. Tap water is generally always of a good quality. Not long ago, there was a radio report on blind tests given to “experts” comparing tap water and various brands of bottled water (some quite expensive). Want to know which rated the best for taste etc.? Yep, the tap water.

There is a rip-off regarding bottled water. That it has become a fashion accessory is one thing, but it is no better than the over-hyped “spa” this and that. I have an anecdote. In the late 1980s, I was part of an MBA group. What we said in our group was confidential, but I shall break part of that confidence. One of the group members was both a doctor of chemistry and a senior manager with one of the privatised water companies in England. As part of its new business, it had launched its own bottled water. This particular group member brought a couple of bottles in one day. Tasted ok, nicely packaged, nicely priced as well (if you were the water company). And do you know what? He told us where the water came from. Where do you think it came from? Bloody good taps in that part of England.


QUIZ
Yesterday – Nat King Cole (a sort of Three Kings association – I don’t just throw this together you know). Today’s title – which group and who was the main man in that group?

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