Dish water question

[Jule &Carl]

We have heard that water which is safe enough to swim in, is safe enough to wash dishes in...how do most people feel about this? Jule & CarlH340s/v Syzygy

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

I'd say that's PROB'LY true...But--

Water quality in any location can vary, and whether an area is designated as safe for swimming has more to do with how rapidly it cleanses itself--iow, the rate of tidal cleansing or the rate of flow of a creek or river. Water quality isn't an absolutel constant. A heavy rain washes pollutants off the shore...you attract a flock of water fowl by throwing stale bread and crackers to 'em to entertain your kids. I wouldn't wash dishes in water where a bunch of people are swimming...in fact, some of us GO swimming to avoid filling up the holding tank. So it really depends on the circumstances. If you're the only boat in the anchorage, it's prob'ly safe. But your best bet if you need to conserve your onboard supply of fresh water is to boil enough water to rinse 'em in it after you've gotten 'em clean and rinsed off the soapy water. Or just boil enough "raw" water to wash your dishes, using only enough of your onboard water to cool it off enough to put your hands in it.

 

[Jule & Carl]

Thanks Peggy...

Thanks Peggy ..now I think we ought to also throw away our swimming suits because maybe NO water is really safe for swimming...:>/

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Nonsense!

We have become totally obsessed with germs in this country...if Lysol had its way, we'd not only be spraying everything in sight with it, we'd be spraying each other with it! We can't stand the natural aromas of the human body, so we wash with "antibacterial" soap and saturate every orifice, nook a cranny with products that completely destroy them. If we keep it up, the human race won't have any immune system left--'cuz nobody will ever be exposed to the things that create antibodies. You've been swimming all your life...it hasn't killed you--or even made you sick--yet. So have I, and I'm a lot older than you are. However--dishes aren't the human body...they don't develop antibodies, but they can become "petrie dishes" while stored in the warm summer heat. So, while what they can grow prob'ly won't hurt you, it's a good idea to be a little bit careful about what you wash 'em in. So be careful to get the dishes clean, but when it comes to swimming, just pay attention to any published warnings that an area has been closed to swimming and avoid that area. Otherwise, just relax and continue to enjoy your life--and that includes swimming in your favorite coves.

 

[Rob Rich]

Well Said Ms. Hall

I couldn't agree with you more Peggy. I think all the antibacterial products out there are actually doing us more of a disservice than a service. Unfortunately, I am afraid we will find this out too late. Personally, I'm with you on the ambient water. However, I'd say that a little bacteria on the plate is actually good for you. In moderation, it keeps the immune system charged up! Just make sure you pass on the samonella (sp?).By the way - did I ever mention how awesome KO is? I just got some and my head ('79 C-27) no longer smells. Only one treatment. Luckily the hoses are pretty much as you described they should be, so I got lucky on that end.-Rob