MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A full week of water woes in Memphis thankfully is behind us, and the directive to boil water – that left some customers boiling mad – is over. So what did we learn from this week of misery for some – and inconvenience for all?
Well for one thing, it was a reminder that we cannot take for granted our spectacular water. And any policies or projects that could potentially threaten our aquifer should be viewed with skepticism. If you think I’m referring to the proposed Byhalia Pipeline, I am.
We also learned that while Memphis Light, Gas and Water can sometimes be inflexible with its policies, the utility was exemplary in its response to the water crisis. Yes, some customers had no water to boil, and the run on bottled water brought out the hoarding in some of us. But MLGW officials did a good job communicating, and they rose above the criticism – much of it overly harsh and quite personal on social media.
But above all, we learned that crises such as this can also bring out benevolent side. People stepped to help get water to those most in need, while the utility worked around the clock to repair some 135 broken water mains caused by the recent winter weather.
All in all, it was a trying week. But perhaps we can now better appreciate what we have – great water and great people. And that’s my point of view.