Water

The county website says that there are no swimming restrictions for the lake. So I was a little surprised when Pollution Control came out to sample the lake today. I asked if they'd already been out and they said no. When I asked about the county website, he said, "it hasn't been tested, I wouldn't swim in the lake." Since we've been taking kids on the pontoon and letting them jump into the middle of the lake to swim (with life jackets of course), I was concerned that perhaps I had the wrong information.

When I called the county, I found out that "no swimming restrictions" doesn't mean that the water is ok (which was my assumption), it means that they don't know of any issues (because it hasn't been tested). Not only did I feel as though I'd been mislead, the woman on the phone was rude about it. I was LIVID. I was fuming mad. I was ready for a fight. When I asked to speak with someone else, she transfered me to the sheriff's voicemail where I left a VERY angry message that ended with, "please call me back as soon as possible. In the meantime, I will be directing parents of sick kids directly to you."

I have been personally assuring parents of the safety and citing the county website. I was SO mad, not to mention concerned about the safety of our kids and staff.

The sheriff called me back within the hour and I have to give him huge credit- his customer service skills are terrific. He let me explain my concern and listened to my outrage and then he very patiently, very calmly, very kindly responded. He has a lot of crabby people to deal with but he didn't lose his temper. He assured me that the middle of the lake is fine and listened to my suggestion to change the wording on the website.

After the call, I wrote him a thank you note because I appreciate what it is like to deal with a bunch of angry people about something you have little or no control over. He is doing a great job.

On another note about water- my house and the health center have water again! It took the plumber and electrician all day. They had to dig a ten feet deep trench from one house to the other and it was quite a mess. I was worried that something unforeseen would delay water even longer, but it was pretty straightforward and I am back to living like a normal person. I am already slightly annoyed at my new living situation. M&M are fine roommates, I just need soe quiet time to recharge and having them live here is an adjustment. Also, having the break area on my porch makes it feel like I'm living in a fishbowl because they can see in my house and can watch everything I do. It's awkward to cook or sit on my couch knowing I'm being watched, but overall, the whole situation is working out ok.