Drevers is checking a row of cylinders topped with complicated-looking electronics governing water flow. He expresses some concern about the high-tech system. It's just another question in the never-ending learning process of running Breitenbush. Breitenbush draws its water from the river. Though the retreat center is high in the mountains, bacteria is still a concern.
All water is filtered, and much is chlorinated.
The maintenance crew has been doing what it can to reduce the chlorine load and stay within health regulations. Not only are filters and chlorine costly, but concerns are growing that chlorine is tied to cancer and human reproductive problems. Paying attention to these concerns, the health-conscious resort has long filtered chlorine out of drinking fountains and some taps. The new filtration system, with its bacteria-catching microscopic mesh, allows the resort to cut remaining chlorination levels in half. And hot tubs are completely free of chlorine.