Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Too Bad, So Sad: It's Gross, but Safe





If you walk into the bathroom that you're expected to use for the next school year and find yourself looking at this, you would be concerned.

A great majority of on-campus students at Michigan State University are disgusted with that quality of water that is provided for their use for showering, drinking, and washing their clothes.

It's not just the appearance of the water, it's also the smell and the taste.

Rita Yarber, a nursing and social work sophomore, who lived in Emmons of Brody Complex last year, was shocked when she first saw the water and then smelled it. The combination of sulfuric and metallic scent, made her cringe when she had to brush her teeth with it.

Despite this, Douglas MacDonald, who works for MSU Utilities and Waste Management and oversees the water-works division, said student's concerns are "purely aesthetic."

He said that the discoloration and smell comes from naturally occurring iron oxide, or rust, and that the levels in the water are completely safe. He said that the Water Quality Report, compiled in 2008 reaffirms this.

Many students refuse to drink the water as is and are forced to buy either bottled water or water filters, simply because they prefer the taste.