250 gallons of water, nearer to Gerlach than N. Cali?

mamagrrl · Post by **mamagrrl** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 12:46 am

I've searched the Q/A, but came up empty - maybe someone on here knows the scoop...

Is there a place nearer to Gerlach where I could get about 250 gallons of potable water? I'm coming from near San Francisco, and don't want to pull an IBC tote with 2000 lbs of water all that way, so I figure, pull the empty tote, find someone nearer by who has a water hose and fill up THERE instead of HERE. Save on Biodiesel, save the brakes some, 'donate' a few dinero, etc.

So, is there a Bman'er or compassionate company somewhere closer in to Gerlach that could be my water connection?

Anybody know somebody?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:08 am

Try Reno. Or maybe Wadsworth. (I'd confirm the second.) Gerlach is a tiny town and will be overwhelmed. And the water is radioactive or otherwise poisenous. (Details slipped out of my head.)

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:21 am

The Gerlach water situation is they have a higher level of naturally occuring Uranium in the water than the EPA allows. I'm sure others on here know a bit more about the subject, needless to say I bring my own water and it's not from Nevada.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:50 am

Honestly speaking do NOT expect to find any avaialable water anywhere past Sparks/Reno.

mamagrrl · Post by **mamagrrl** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:40 am

theCryptofishist wrote:... the water is radioactive or otherwise poisenous. (Details slipped out of my head.)

No
Frickin'
Way!

Man, that's NASTY...
I mean, I like glowy things, but not when they're me.
Thanks for the update.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:13 am

There is a spigot (or maybe 2) at the Donner Pass rest stop and we fill our 15 gallons there. I'm not sure about over 10 times that much.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:32 am

... the water is radioactive or otherwise poisenous.

Radioactivity of the water does not constitute 'poisonous' by any definition. A good number of communities in Nevada are having to look at elevated levels of uranium and certain other heavy metals in their drinking supply - especially if the water is pulled from wells in some of the more rural areas.

The elevated levels mentioned are defined by EPA as being above those recommemded - especially for Gerlach and Empire.

To my knowledge, no epidemiological studies have been undertaken regarding the issue and I'd dare say that nothing indicates cancer clusters like those found in Fallon (for different reasons). The locals don't seem to mind drinking the water throughout the year and if you head up prepared it shouldn't be a problem as there's no reason to be filling up your jugs in Gerlach.

mamagrrl · Post by **mamagrrl** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 11:22 am

Radioactivity of the water does not constitute 'poisonous' by any definition... and I'd dare say that nothing indicates cancer clusters like those found in Fallon (for different reasons).

Naw, 'Poisonous' generally means it kills you right away. Radiation takes a while. It's mostly uranium mining (long term exposure to decay products) that's the problem with cancer... Thorium 230 causes leukemia/blood diseases. Radium 226 causes bone cancer. Radon (another decay product of uranium) causes lung cancer, etc.

Radiation from Uranium or its decay products (and usually, this is with LONG term exposure) can damage your gametes. Now theoretically, a guy can just wait a few months, and unless he's irradiating himself from the inside, his sperm'll be fine. Nice normal kids. A gal though, one her eggs are irradiated, they're irradiated. Last I heard, we don't make new eggs. That's some serious genetic damage we'd be risking. I've had my kids already, but I'm still not real excited about possibly further irradiating myself inside or out, so I think I'll truck water in from out of town, no matter what the natives do! (or even if they're cancer-cluster-free!)

...of course, it's been a while since my genetics classes, so I could have some stuff sideways. Anyway, so long as we stay clear of the local water, we should be just fine! No problems and still very much Playa-Bound!!!

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 11:40 am

That's some serious genetic damage we'd be risking.

Mutagenic risk from the levels we're talking is below threshold - especially if you're talking whole body exposure to ionizing radiation.