The Water Services

The water services are a bit different here. We are used to having water coming from the treatment plant underground then heating it in our water heaters for cooking, washing and bathing. I believe the cold water still comes the same way, but the hot water is heated at the central heating stations, then distributed above ground to the individual apartments. No water heaters. This creates a few problems we don't normally see in the states. First of all, the lines need to be insulated. People step and children sometimes play on them, tearing up the metal cladding and the insulation below, so it is in constant need of repair. The lines themselves corrode, so regular system shutdowns are needed for repairs. Each summer, people should expect several stretches of up to two weeks without hot water. We had one stretch at the hotel I stayed in. When we see a small plastic tub and a ladle setting in our bathtubs, we know its time for the 'ole sponge bath, where we heat our own water in the electric water pots provided.

Secondly, since the pipes are subject to corrosion from the hot water/steam mixture, the water coming from the hot water faucet is inevitably filled with rust. Running the bath water for about 15 minutes cleans the majority, but not all, of this.

At the Mendeleeva apartments, Fluor has done a great thing, putting a small water heater into our bathrooms. Yes, we are the privileged class.