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Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

boston.com

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Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#71

Post by lionhearted »

arch_hunter wrote: post #32
SlyShy wrote: post #8

I remember doing that while living in Taiwan. At least the climate in Boston makes having lukewarm water more bearable. When you are sweating in a tropical summer the last thing you want is a warm glass of water.

Traditionally China has been the same way: Whenever somebody gives you a glass of water it is always warm so that the receiver knows that it has been boiled, and is safe to drink. It often takes foreigners a while to adjust.

Lemon helps if possible. Lukewarm or hot water by itself = bu hao (no good). Lukewarm lemon-flavored water = much more drinkable.

/in China and Taiwan this year

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#72

Post by nex3 »

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #68
korch wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This might be Myth Busters material, but wouldn't it be more energy efficient to drink water closer to the body's own temperature? Less energy is needed internally to process warm water, than to heat cold water up to 98.6 F. This is also similar to why it's bad to drink soft drink, the body consumes more water to break it down than it gains from the soft drink.

>This is also similar to why it's bad to drink soft drink, the body consumes more water to break it down than it gains from the soft drink. The longest one can last without additional water is something like 3 days, no? http://health.howstuffworks.com/live-without-food-and-water.... (it gives a couple of citations but I haven't checked them, I tried the sciam.com one but it's paywalled) gives 3-5 days + 1 for a "heal…

You would also have to avoid juicy foods. You could probably avoid drinking water indefinitely if you ate enough apples.

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#73

Post by pingswept »

SapphireSun wrote: post #51
davi wrote: post #2

Thank you. I wonder why Cambridge (where I live) is not listed? The surrounding towns are. edit: according to http://www.mwra.com/02org/html/whatis.htm , Cambridge receives full sewer, but only "emergency backup" water from the MWRA. edit2: a commenter at http://www.wbur.org/2010/05/01/water-main-break/comment-page... says Cambridge gets its water from Fresh Pond.

Off topic, but I thought this was the most appropriate thread. I just got a place in Somerville (lucky me ;-)). Are there any cool events around where you can meet people and make friends?

Open shop night at Sprout community science lab in Davis Square, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Also, google Willoughby and Baltic.

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#74

Post by tibbon »

pingswept wrote: post #73
SapphireSun wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Off topic, but I thought this was the most appropriate thread. I just got a place in Somerville (lucky me ;-)). Are there any cool events around where you can meet people and make friends?

Open shop night at Sprout community science lab in Davis Square, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Also, google Willoughby and Baltic.

Totally OT, but Willoughby and Baltic seems dead to me. I live a block from there and I just go to Sprout. Its generally free, great people and a really friendly environment.

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#75

Post by julius_geezer »

There was a boil-water notice for northwest Washington, DC, within the last few weeks. We heard of it late, then found that the affected area ended about a mile north of us. But there was a spectacular break in the suburbs just before Christmas, requiring helicopter rescue of some stranded motorists. So it's not just Boston.

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#76

Post by carbocation »

carbocation wrote: post #40
davi wrote: post #2

Thank you. I wonder why Cambridge (where I live) is not listed? The surrounding towns are. edit: according to http://www.mwra.com/02org/html/whatis.htm , Cambridge receives full sewer, but only "emergency backup" water from the MWRA. edit2: a commenter at http://www.wbur.org/2010/05/01/water-main-break/comment-page... says Cambridge gets its water from Fresh Pond.

According to an email from the Broad, there are interconnects between Boston and Cambridge and no water should be consumed without boiling.

Got an update from the Broad and they feel confident now that there is no crosstalk between Cambridge and Boston water supplies. Sorry for the false alarm!

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#77

Post by dmm »

jackowayed wrote: post #50
jcdreads wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least Shaw's didn't multiply the price by ten. Sounds like the manager at Shaw's cleverly identified getting rid of all of his (probably profitless) bottled water as fast as possible (and posting a sign outside saying they're out) as the best way to prevent clogging the store with the hoarding hordes.

If there weren't laws against price gouging, I'm sure they would have strongly considered multiplying the price by 10.

He should have multiplied the price by ten or whatever the market would bear. To do otherwise would create shortages.

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#78

Post by qq66 »

xenophanes wrote: post #12
jamesbressi wrote: post #10

I'll get flamed, but I feel that way about most the water supply in the U.S. Ever look at the reports per county for what is in your water supply here? I don't care what anyone says, most of those contaminates listed aren't acceptable to me at any level. I hate the fact that I have to shower or brush my teeth with it. Even worse are the chemicals they use to "clean" it, which doesn't get things like medications out,…

Not acceptable at any level? Do you think infinitely dilute poisons are still harmful poisons? Do you think one molecule of arsenic will kill you? BTW, did you know that natural spring water has contaminants too? And the water in every other country? Maybe the level of contaminants is better in some places, but you don't seem to be paying attention to that. And did you know that all filters do is reduce the level of…

Arsenic is a metallic element - it comes in atoms, not molecules :)

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#79

Post by plimph »

tibbon wrote: post #74
pingswept wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Open shop night at Sprout community science lab in Davis Square, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Also, google Willoughby and Baltic.

Totally OT, but Willoughby and Baltic seems dead to me. I live a block from there and I just go to Sprout. Its generally free, great people and a really friendly environment.

I just went by both locations I found online, Elm St and Joy St, and both are abandoned. Nobody answers the phone or returns my messages. I just wanted to check out their MakerBot CNC, but I guess I'm out of luck and they are, too. Very sad.

Re: Don't drink the water in Boston without boiling it first.

#80

Post by SapphireSun »

pingswept wrote: post #73
SapphireSun wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Off topic, but I thought this was the most appropriate thread. I just got a place in Somerville (lucky me ;-)). Are there any cool events around where you can meet people and make friends?

Open shop night at Sprout community science lab in Davis Square, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Also, google Willoughby and Baltic.

Thanks! I'll check it out. I will be living pretty close to Davis Square :-)
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