The Day the Water Stopped

Today was another example of hardship experienced in Ramallah. It's the day we didn't have water.

Mid-morning we noticed that the water, especially the cold water, was low in pressure. Then suddenly the cold water stopped. And the hot water slowed to a trickle. At first we thought that we had just drained the water tank and that it would fill back up. Houses here have black water tanks on the roof; there's not a roof that isn't dotted with them. The water comes from Israel through pipes and pumps brings the water up to the tanks to be used. We thought that maybe with Abe's brother and family here, along with us, we just used more water than the tank could hold. When we found out that the neighbors also were without water we realized that the water had been shutoff to the area by the government. There are times when they shut off water to entire sections because they have low water supply. We wonder how many Israeli homes are out of water right now. My guess is they shut it off to the Palestinians first, because they can. They know they have them held captive.

No water comes from the cold tap and only scolding hot water trickles from the hot; that is until the hot water tank drains. The toilets don't flush, so you have to save bathroom trips for when you really need them and then fill a bucket with some of the hot water to flush. Let's just say that today was an unfortunate day for my stomach to be acting up and for Aunt Flo to pay a visit (sorry to any males reading!). We don't use the water for drinking, thankfully. So, no one is going thirsty. But dishes have to be washed only a few at a time because the water is steaming hot and will burn. No laundry, either. We missed out because we had planned on doing our huge mound of dirty clothes today.

We had company today who live approximately 5 minutes from here. They told us that they haven't had water for 2 weeks. If it weren't for a backup well they have, they wouldn't have any water at all. They have 4 little children, so that has to be hard. We are praying that it doesn't stay shut off that long for us.

The sad thing is that there is no one to call to complain. In America you'd call the water company to inquire. If there was no response, you'd call the city hall to demand answers. It just never would happen in the States. But here, the person you'd call to help you is the very one who shut off your water in the first place. And with no regard for homes with elderly or children.

I hope to wake to running water tomorrow.