As this column is posted, the contaminated drinking water of Walkerton, a small farming community in southwestern Ontario, has claimed 5 lives and more deaths are expected. The E. coli -polluted water caused more than 1,000 people to seek medical treatment and about 20 individuals remain hospitalized with new cases expected. A breakdown in the equipment that added chlorine to kill life-threatening bacteria in Walkerton drinking water was not reported to residents until days later. Walkerton's 4800 residents and hundreds of others from surrounding areas drank and used the water for days, unaware of deadly, contagious contamination.
Most people assume the water they drink is safe.
Although there is a swing to bottled water, families still cook with tap water and wash their hands and food with it making them vulnerable to an E. coli outbreak. Canadians have been lulled into a false sense of security after decades of living under caring, overly-protective governments. Whether you are considering a move or are committed to your current community, spend some time getting to know how responsible to their citizenry municipal leaders and workers feel. For instance, increasing numbers of cities and towns have automatic phone alerts from local police to keep residents up to date on criminal activity or dangerous individuals in their area. Communities with established resident-alert systems may find it easier to attract development and businesses in the future.