Interesting People mailing list archives
IP: Y2K over dinner -- and water companies: all wet?
From: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 04:20:53 -0500
\ From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com> \ So I just got back from a black tie dinner hosted by the Media Institute, a think tank devoted to the First Amendment, journalism, and a deregulated telecom industry. Lots of your usual DC telecom types including lots of folks on this list; the master of ceremonies was former FCC chairman Dick Wiley. (Hey, at least the food was good.) I sat at the table of one of DC's larger law firms (which will remain anonymous for purposes of this writeup), and it was odd how quickly the conversation turned to Y2K. After one attorney was lamenting how quickly his kids were growing up, another shot back: "you're feeding 'em too much." A third lawyer jumped in: "That won't be a problem after Y2K." Then they started talking about what happens if the power goes out, contingency planning, etc. Even guns. Not what you'd expect from your usual DC lawyer types -- and a level of concern that just plain didn't exist half a year ago. -Declan ******** http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/news/business_story.html?in_review_ id=86299 Water firms 'run risk of millennium chaos' by JONATHAN PRYNN BRITAIN'S biggest water companies are leaving it dangerously late to prepare their computer systems for the millennium, risking dry taps and sewage flooding on the first morning of the 21st century. [...] Bad New Year weather would make things far worse because a freeze and thaw dramatically increases leakage, making it even more difficult to meet demand if systems fail, the review says. The report was commissioned in July by water regulator Ian Byatt and quietly deposited in the library of his Ofwat offices in Birmingham. [...] It reveals in detail how companies are planning for a nightmare scenario on the eve of the new millennium. At least one is stocking up on bottled emergency water supplies. Most have standby generators with stocks of diesel fuel sufficient to keep them running for periods ranging from eight hours to 30 days if electricity supplies fail. Some have plans for "semi-manual" plant operation with extra plant and chemical stocks. A minority of water companies have already cancelled leave for all staff over the New Year period next year while 12 will have staff on site at all major plants and stations. The other companies have yet to decide "but generally intend to have sufficient manpower available". [...] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- the moderated mailing list of politics and technology To subscribe: send a message to majordomo () vorlon mit edu with this text: subscribe politech More information is at http://www.well.com/~declan/politech/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- IP: Y2K over dinner -- and water companies: all wet? Dave Farber (Oct 29)