Why has this effected the water? Did lack of power shut down the treatment plants but not the distribution pumps? The water cant get to customers without power to pump it from the treatment plants to the water towers. Did they pump untreated water for distribution? This makes no sense.
Or has the water supply been deliberately contaminated?
No, low pressure in the mains is very problematic. Normally the pressure is high enough nothing can get in. When the pressure is too low stuff can mix in. The water mains are not hermetically sealed after all.
Low pressure is caused either by a lack of pumping ability or too much water flowing out. As several places have frozen, likely the latter.
None of this is a surprise to people who know these things.
Why has this effected the water? Did lack of power shut down the treatment plants but not the distribution pumps? The water cant get to customers without power to pump it from the treatment plants to the water towers. Did they pump untreated water for distribution? This makes no sense.
Or has the water supply been deliberately contaminated?
No, low pressure in the mains is very problematic. Normally the pressure is high enough nothing can get in. When the pressure is too low stuff can mix in. The water mains are not hermetically sealed after all.
Low pressure is caused either by a lack of pumping ability or too much water flowing out. As several places have frozen, likely the latter.
None of this is a surprise to people who know these things.