The uncontrollable spray of water from a partially buried pipe behind the leasing office in my apartment complex foreshadowed the water shutoff in my apartment. Nonetheless, I made no effort to save any water in large pots. Instead, I brooded about how much more I’d have to pay for water in October.
Unbelievable. I used to pay a mere 4 cents/month for water. Then, it jumped to $11 and has been increasing every month. I cannot remember the barely logical explanation the leasing agent told me about the city charging us for some water emergency/crisis/overhaul ten years back, which was when I used to live in Mexico. Close enough, I guess. All I know is the situation hasn’t been remedied. For September, I get to pay nearly $20 for water. Lord only knows how much it will be for October.
Still stewing in my juices, I entered the kitchen to rinse out my wine glass. A metallic choking sound of pipes delivering no water gushed forth. I’d consumed 2 1/2 glasses of wine and knew I was in no shape, mentally or physically, to make the short drive to the grocery store to buy a large container of water. I used to keep such a container on hand until a few months ago when the damn thing developed a slow leak since I hadn’t had cause to use it.
In lieu of purchasing water, I brainstormed an alternative. Ice. With nothing to lose, I filled two drinking glasses and a plastic 5-cup measuring cup with ice cubes. I set the glasses on the counter, figuring I’d be thirsty once they melted. I placed the measuring cup in the microwave. For the record, I knew it wouldn’t work, but still I needed to reconfirm that ice cubes don’t melt in a microwave. What melts is the substance the ice cubes are submerged in, which in turn melts the cubes, but not the microwavable container itself.
I carried the ice cube-filled measuring cup to the bathroom. After using the toilet, but not flushing (if it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down), I pumped some liquid soap into the palm of one hand, picked up an ice cube with the other hand and preceded to wash. Great idea except I used far too much soap. The rubbing friction helped melt the ice, but both the ice and soap made the effort nearly impossible due to the slipperiness. A few minutes after the fact, the water came on. My hands were already clean, but sore from scrubbing them with ice.
A few nights later, one of my downstairs neighbors knocked frantically on my door. A stream of water poured into her apartment via the bathroom. I let her in to witness no water ran or leaked from my bathroom. After she left, I filled up several pots with water.
Days afterwards, very little hot water flowed. I turned the knob off, but a thin stream still trickled out. I had to turn off the water completely from underneath the sink. Fortunately, I went to work a few hours later. All was restored to normal once I returned from work.
Nonetheless, I feel there’s some water issue just percolating. Once again, I probably won’t have any water stored up for the occasion.