Dirty water costing us millions - Nov. 22

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Dirty water costing us millions
Economic sting ranges from restaurants to dentistry, board of trade says
Larry Pynn, with files from William Boei and Neal HallVancouver Sun

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

                               
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CREDIT: Ward Perrin, Vancouver SunExecutive chef Piyush Sahay boils water, used for everything from cooking to rinsing vegetables, in one of the UBC kitchens.

                               
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CREDIT: Ian Lindsay, Vancouver SunTHE CITY COPES: DAY 7: Dental hygienist Deanna Ngo uses a syringe filled with bottled water as she works on patient Walt Mager at the Kitsilano dental practice of Dr. Wayne Okamura Tuesday. The continuing boil-water advisory means dentists cannot use equipment connected to the city water supply.



Dirty water flowing through Vancouver taps has cost the local economy millions of dollars, David Park, chief economist for the Vancouver Board of Trade, estimated Tuesday.

Park said in an interview the full economic impact of the boil-water advisory remains unknown because it affects every business in different ways and ranges beyond lost revenues and added costs for food-service operations to disruptions in sectors such as dentistry.
While the impact may be small given Greater Vancouver's overall gross domestic product of about $90 billion, "it's fair to say the impact is in the millions of dollars," he said.

Meanwhile, turbidity levels fell significantly in the troublesome Seymour reservoir, dropping by more than a third from Tuesday morning to late afternoon.

Park added that while he wishes something had been in place at the Greater Vancouver Regional District to avoid such an occurrence, he is buoyed to know that construction is underway on a $600-million filtration plant expected to open in 2008.

Last Thursday, the GVRD warned two million residents to boil their water or use bottled water after torrential rain triggered dozens of landslides into the region's reservoirs, turning tap water cloudy and brown. The advisory continues in Vancouver, Burnaby and most of the North Shore.

Among the many businesses affected by the boil-water advisory are local dentists, who rely on tap water and do not have separate systems allowing for access to their own distilled water. Many dental offices are using bottled water or have taken other measures to ensure patient safety, according to Dr. Tony Gill.

"Obviously there have been some [cancellations] because some offices don't have a separate water system," Gill said. "As health care providers, we err on the side of caution."

Dr. Wayne Okamura, a Vancouver dentist, said Tuesday he has switched to using bottled water to rinse the mouths of patients, which is taking a bit longer than normal.

"It's adding about five minutes to every appointment," he said, adding he hasn't had any cancelled appointments.

Dr. Heather Stewart of the Seawall Dental Group in West Vancouver said her office has cancelled patients and reduced the types of procedures undertaken. "It's been brutal," said Stewart, noting that dental-supply companies that sell separate water systems can't keep up with the sudden demand. "Everybody and their dog wants one."
The restaurant industry took an initial hit Friday when coffee sales were largely suspended until it was clarified that water heated in coffee machines at sufficient temperatures is safe.

The University of B.C., which operates 21 food outlets on campus, including two Starbucks outlets, lost about $14,000 in foregone sales of coffee and spinoffs foods such as muffins, said Andrew Parr, director of food services.

While some restaurants elsewhere have been forced to buy bottled water and hire extra staff, UBC saved money by boiling water in 75-litre vats for washing fruit and vegetables while using existing staff. In addition to supplying its food outlets, UBC must serve 2,550 students on meal plans.

But one company's problem is another's economic boom.
Bottled water companies have been working full-tilt to meet demand in Vancouver since the boil-water advisory, confirmed Elizabeth Griswold, executive-director of the Ontario-based Canadian Bottled Water Association.

She said association members have donated about 200,000 litres of water for distribution to community centres on the Downtown Eastside and health facilities.

Canadian Springs, the province's largest bottled water company, says business has increased to 14,000 18.5-litre jugs per day from a normal 8,000 jugs since the boil-water advisory.

Dan Kerr, the company's regional director, said the 208 workers employed at the Richmond plant have cancelled holidays and agreed to work overtime to add another production shift.
"Our staff is coming through amazingly," he said.

Walt Judas, vice-president of marketing communications for Tourism Vancouver, said he is unaware of anyone cancelling plans to visit Vancouver as a result of the water problem. In fact, unless individuals did their homework, he doubts they'd even know about it until they got here.

The B.C. Restaurant & Foodservices Association is in the process of conducting a survey of members to help determine the impact of the advisory, and expects the results in two days.

But association president Ian Tostenson suspects the impact is less than first thought.

He said the main impact has been the cost of buying bottled water, and hiring extra staff required to prepare food.

Some restaurants stopped serving salads and coffee, but customers simply chose other menu items and do not seem to have been discouraged from dining out, he said.

"In general, the public carried on with their normal patterns, and the restaurant industry was extremely responsive. They responded to the challenge and the public didn't get alarmed."

mercy2004

听到了，谢谢楼主！！！