My part of the country is full of gorgeous rolling hills, grassy fields, wild flowers, and the occasional tree, but we desperately lack rivers and lakes. When settlements were first being built in this region a little over a hundred years ago, numerous water reservoirs were dug. Unfortunately, we are also the heart of industry, complete with coal mines, slag heaps, factories, and smoke stacks: the Pennsylvania of Ukraine, if you will. Our tap water is absolutely not safe to drink. Even if boiled, if left to sit, a white cloud forms at the bottom of the glass. The only way to make the tap water safe is decant already boiled water off of this cloud of heavy metals, then boil again. That being a laborious process, I just use the water truck.
There is a truck which drives around town on a set route, following a set schedule, refilling five litre jugs with scrumptious, potable water. In fact, there are multiple trucks from competing companies. I used to buy from Water World, because I like dystopian Costner films, but now I purchase my water from Crucial, because they make a fair point.
At predisclosed times throughout the week,a loud horn carries across the yard and through my single-pane Soviet windows. Residents from surrounding apartments gather at the truck to fill their jugs with either fresh or carbonated water, depending on the day of the week. If your jug's handle breaks, they can cut it off and pop on a new one for just a few coins. If you don't have a jug, they can sell you a new one. Best of all, the water is exponentially cheaper than bottled water from a store. A typical 5 litre jug from the grocery would run me around 30 UAH; I can fill up at the water truck for 2.50.
The water truck: bringing you pasta, soup, and tea...without the heavy metals!
There is a truck which drives around town on a set route, following a set schedule, refilling five litre jugs with scrumptious, potable water. In fact, there are multiple trucks from competing companies. I used to buy from Water World, because I like dystopian Costner films, but now I purchase my water from Crucial, because they make a fair point.
At predisclosed times throughout the week,a loud horn carries across the yard and through my single-pane Soviet windows. Residents from surrounding apartments gather at the truck to fill their jugs with either fresh or carbonated water, depending on the day of the week. If your jug's handle breaks, they can cut it off and pop on a new one for just a few coins. If you don't have a jug, they can sell you a new one. Best of all, the water is exponentially cheaper than bottled water from a store. A typical 5 litre jug from the grocery would run me around 30 UAH; I can fill up at the water truck for 2.50.
The water truck: bringing you pasta, soup, and tea...without the heavy metals!
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| Not actually being there to take the picture myself, photo from fellow bloggers at Ukraine Confusion. Will replace with the Crucial truck when I go back. |
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