Today at 6:51 PM the power went out in my apartment. The computer screen went dim as it switched to battery power. The hum of the refrigerator abruptly ceased. Outside the whir of the pool pump was replaced by silence.
The whole house was without power.
Just to be sure I went into the utility closet to check the breakers. All of them were switched to "On", so it was indeed the entire building.
For a moment I was helpless. What was there to do with no power what-so-ever?
It took me a couple minutes to come up with a game plan. First I would shower. Then I would wash the dishes. If the power wasn't back on by then, I could read until the sun went down. I was set.
So I popped into the shower, only to find the water dying down to a trickle after about three minutes. I didn't even have time to get my hair wet.
How strange.
Apparently when the power goes out, I no longer have running water. I have no experience with the phenomena. I cannot imagine why - after centuries of building structures with running water that didn't require electricity - anyone would design a home that required electricity to maintain the water pressure.
What happens if we lose power for days? Do I have to head to the lake with empty milk jugs to keep my dog from dehydrating?
The power returned at 8:12. Nobody, animals included, dehydrated. I was forced to read the entire time.
That's life with well water....