I'm sure you're not new to the story, but here in California our taps ran dry, meaning we have no tap water anymore. 

Together with my little brother and my uncle I went to the grocery store yesterday to stock up on water for the next days, but it was sold out in no time, and we only managed to buy ice cubes, which we have now stored in our bathtub to melt. Each of us is allowed five cups a day to ensure the water lasts as long as possible. 

All of this is really scary and being prepared feels nice; however, our neighbours have simply taken it too far! They are real preppers, you know, the kind who has their own power generator and water tank. Other families of our neighbourhood are already leaving their homes and trying to get out of California. My family thought about that too, but we've decided to stay. 

We are positive that the government will get this crisis under control, and in a day or two we'll have running water again. By tomorrow everything will probably be back to normal.

But until then, I'm grateful for any tips on how to improve the situation. Feel free to comment below.

Stay hydrated!

Yours,

Alyssa

dietrich.lara@modeschule-hallein.at

Hi Alyssa!

I hope you and your family are well and that you still have enough water with you.

In the TV I heard about the problem in California and I know, that I would freak out if I were in the same situation. You knew better, stayed calm and thought about solutions to get to water and to calmed down your family - and I really admire that.

I understand why you are annoyed by your neighbours, and that it's not really cool that you don't help each other. Everyone is in the same situation and everyone should stick together. But I still think, when the Tap Out lasts longer, that your neighbours feel guilty and share the water with you. We should think positive, and hope that the government works on this problem and in a few days, the tap water is back.

You were very smart to buy some ice cubes in the supermarket and defrost it. I don't know if I would think of such an great idea.

Otherwise I would search for a river or a small lake and filter the water that you can drink it. Maybe it seems crazy, but even when it rains, you can collect the water and filter it.

Alyssa, I think you are a very smart person and you seem that you can handle the tap out the best. I'm praying for you guys, to get the water back and you don't give up of searching for solutions.

Best wishes,

Lara.

Hi Alyssa!

I feel very sorry for you and your familiy. I hope everything will be ok soon.

Keep thinking positiv and look ahead.

As I was watching the news and heard that you do not have enough water in California I was thinking about what I would do in such problems.

Not like you did, I'd freak out and would be in such panic.

Nobody is really prepared for such a problem and all people are getting stressed out.

Everyone is afraid of not having enough water and they are beeing very selfish and are not looking for others- just like your neighbours. Everyone is in the same situation as you are that's why I don't understand why you can't stick together and find a solution which fits for all.

I think it was a good idea with the ice cubes.

To be honest, I would never have come up with such a good idea!

The most important thing to do is stay calm and do not freak out.

Stay at home, watch the news and find solutions.

You could also collect rain water and filter it so you can drink it- if the Tap-out lasts longer.

What's also important is that you divide the water fairly in the family and everyone gets their portion of water per day that a human needs.

I hope you and your family is ok and i am hoping for you that the Tap Water comes back soon.

Dont give up and everything will be fine!!

Best wishes

Lara Lahner

I admire that you stayed so calm.

If that happens, panic breaks out. The worst thing about humanity is, that everyone gets selfish and arrogant. Everyone only thinks about themeselves and forgets the others. A good example for this is your neighbour. In such moments it would be so important if they would stick together and find solutions that fits for all.

Like you said, everyone rushes into the supermarket and buys everything without paying attention to anyone else and thats unfair. I can well imagine that there are crowds and people arguing. Of course it's difficult to find solutions and look to others, but things are always easier in teams.

As I already mentioned, it is very admirable and examplary, that you stayed so calm. It's pointless if you panic. The only thing that helps to keep calm and make ends meet.

I hope you and your family are well and the tap water comes back soon.

Best regards

Leonie Schmidt

linda13@gmail.com

Hey Alyssa,

I can't imagine how challenging it must be to face a situation where your taps have run dry. It's very sad to hear about the struggle you and your family are going through, especially in the face of such a basic need like water. My heart goes out to you and your family during these hard times.

Your decision to stay and face the crisis head-on reflects a strong sense of confidence and belief in the goverment to manage the situation. It's so strong that you've chosen to stand your ground rather than giving in to panic. It's interesting to see the diverse responses from your neighbors. Each family's decision reflects their unique values and priorities.

Considering the uncertainty of when the taps will flow again, it might be beneficial for you and your family to explore alternative water sources within your situation now. Rainwater or reaching out to local community resources for water-sharing initiatives could be worth trying. Additionally, since you've already stored ice cubes in your bathtub, consider using them slow, like placing them in containers to collect the melting water for essential uses.

Alyssa, your positive outlook is inspiring. Wishing you and your family the strength to master this challenging time, and hoping that the water comes back sooner than expected.

Stay Hydrated and Hopeful!

Linda

User: <Christina>

Hey Alyssa,

I can’t imagine how you feel about the situation you are in. It must be so hard to not have tap water. I mean not only you but also your family. But you can do that. It will be over soon. You can stand above it. You are a young but very smart girl. I wouldn’t have thought about buying ice instead of normal water. With this thinking of yours you can do it.

How I already said your very smart. Buying ice is one of the smartest things you could have done in this whole sold out water and dry taps situation. That you and your family stayed in California is a brave thing you did. I honestly would have left California. I could not live somewhere where the taps are dry. To live without water is not doable.

You did already what I would have recommended you. Staying calm and thinking straight. That is what is important in situations like yours. Something you could also do is collecting rainwater and filter it. So you can put a big container or a few of them in your garden. With that you just have to filter it. Or you search for a lake, river or an other source of water and take it out of there. Of course, the water has to be filtered before you can drink it.

I wish you the best,

Your Christina

liviane.rieder@modeschule-Hallein.at

Hi Alyssa!

I´m very sorry to hear in what situation you and your Family are. I hope you all are still well and that the situation will be better soon.

I heard about your living situation in California through the TV. I really admire your mature. You stayed calm and thought about solutions to get water instead of freaking out. What I would totally do.

I think you shouldn´t be that hard with your neighbours. We are all only just people and such an situation is new for all of us. Maybe their first reaction was to be selfish but I think this will change if the Tab-out lasts longer.

In my opinion, buying ice cubes and defrost it is very smart. I think I would literally never come up with such an idea. Whats also an option is to search for some lake or wait till it´s raining to filter the water and drink it.

I hope my little advices and positive thoughts hyped you up. You are a very smart girl and you should never change the way you are. I wish you and your family the best.

Stay positive!

Yours Livi