Everyone who endured the terrible windstorm on Dec. 20 recognizes and appreciates the heroic efforts of hydro workers, police, firefighters and neighbours to restore our lives to normal.
Our particular concern is the confusion about whether our water in Nanoose Bay was safe to drink.
First we got an automated call saying not to ‘use’ the water. Later we heard an interviewee on a Nanaimo radio station warning against drinking the water even if it were boiled. Not until much later did we learn the problem was determined to be a supply issue specific to Nanaimo.
Before another crisis in the form of a windstorm, fire or earthquake occurs, we think it would be valuable to have in place an emergency phone line and/or radio station where all residents – even those with only a cellphone or battery-operated radio – could listen to automated updates as they become available.
Margot Moser
Nanoose Bay