Gulf Islands, Water, Drinking

Until it is scarce, or every drop has to be boiled, water is something most people don't spend all that much time thinking about. On many Gulf Islands, there is a limited supply, and people do think and worry and struggle.

I recall with a shudder my experience on Thormanby Island. The place was beautiful, the cabin neat, and after hiking around and getting in at dusk I was very thirsty. No problem~ just turn the gravity flow tap on in the kitchen and drink away. Since it was already pretty dark, I couldn't see all that well with the kerosene lighting.

A little later that night I went out for a little air, and saw the giant barrel water reservoir. Like quite a few island cottages, this place made use of abundant winter rains to collect drinking water off the roof. However, this reservoir was totally exposed (no cover), and shining my flashlight down into the water I nearly lost my cookies. It was an absolute soup of mosquito larvae and other aquatic bugs! That's the stuff I had been guzzling in the kitchen.

On many island properties water is a real issue. All rock, or sand with brackish water, are not conducive to great, easy well drilling. So if you are considering a Gulf Island property, checking out the water supply should be high on your list.

Andrew has a sweet water deep well on his Savary Island property. For me, that is a real plus. I don't enjoy drinking bugs.