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September 18, 1978
In Our Local Newspaper
O U R ����� W E L L
Picture on right is my son at well pipe while it's pumping water. Below article is photo original
Text typed below picture
Her Well Runneth Over
There may have been a trickle of humor this weekend over the scarcity of fresh water in many Bergen County communities, but a steady tide of pleasantires welled up around Irene
Irene, standing next to the limestone pumphouse that houses a 50 year old well on her property, saw a steady stream of neighbors this weekend tilt gallon plastic jugs to a wellhead. The justs filled with chlorine-free, crystal-clear water.
"I used this water ot make my husband spaghetti and fresh string beans," said Jean LaTourette, who shares the two-family home with Irene. "This water's the sweetest. There's absolutely no aftertaste".
When Irene saw shoppers at a local supermarket trying unsuccessfully to buy bottled water, she knew what she had to do
Al, a neighbor said, "If I keep drinking this, I'll never age".
Although Irene was pleased that some neighbors availed themselves of the fresh water, the fact that many others didn't was hard to swallow.
"I'm surprised more people didn't come by". "I should have called the radio station and asked them to broadcast my offer, although who knows what kind of crowd I would've received".
When Irene saw shoppers trying to buy bottled water and heard their fearful grumblings at finding the shelves bare, she said she knew only one thing to do:
She decided to extend an invitation to anyone to drive by her home and carry away as much water in milk bottles, canteens, and pop bottles as they could
Irene posted the invitation on the bulletin board at the supermarket. She also gave her invitation and address to police departments in local towns. She phoned the Hackensack and Pascack Valley Hospitals to ask if they needed water.
She even asked her 12 year old son, Jim, to knock on neighbors doors. Some politely refused the boy's offer; others found it irresistible.
"It's very good water", observed a grateful Michael Williams-Jones who was pleased when Jim showed up at his door with a jug of Well Water. His wife, Lynn, had complained that boiling tap water for cooking was a waste of time.
By yesterday, carefully tiptoeing about her yard in tennis sneakers because the water had saturated most of it, had greeted a score of thirsty people in search of her oasis.
The Hackensack Water Co. also wants the water. In case of emergency, it'll probably hook up to it. The company has included the well, which draws from a 500-foot-deep lake, on a list of emergency water sources.
The well was dug by the caretaker of the estate of State Senator Edmund Waklee, where Irene's home now stands. The lake's surfaces is 90 feet down
An electric pump draws 2,000 gallons per hour. "If the pump reached 5,000 gallons, the water company said would it would immediately hook up. Now, they siad they'll sink other wells if they need to," said William Connolly, Irene's father, who lives next door.
Last week Connolly sent a sample to the water company for bacteria tests, as he does twice annually. The firm reported that the water is pure, he said.
Irene said "People have been using the water for years. I make sure Jimmy always has a full bottle in the house. It's better for him than soda..........
Or, Tap Water",she said.
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Email me "Irene" at [email protected]
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