THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508130293
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
A lot of tales are being told over back fences and garden gates as Chesapeake citizens try to cope with the substance the city furnishes as drinking water.
One neighbor bragged about his tomatoes. He'd been watering his plants with tap water and finds, to his delight, they are now just right for eating. No salt is needed.
Another neighbor, seeing birds staggering about the yard, thought they'd gotten into the mash from his home brew operation. Close examination revealed they were unable to fly because their wings were coated with salt from splashing around in his bird bath.
Another fellow, who injured himself, was amazed when the doctor washed the wound out with tap water. It's a better antiseptic than any available at a pharmaceutical supply house, he was told.
Finally, a hunter I know is collecting five-gallon jugs of Chesapeake water. His plan is to use it to cure the deer he hopes to shoot this fall.
Ernest F. Brede
Gibson Drive
KEYWORDS: SODIUM CHLORIDE by CNB