WATER: VITAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Here are some important drinking water safety points to keep in mind, and an overview of what is available in the Reno area.
The bottom line: 1.5 gallons of water per day per person.
Now a few words of caution:First, on using used containers: even if the container is rated as "food grade" and you thoroughly clean and disinfect it, there is still a high probability that there will remain a taste from the previous contents. Keep in mind that if your water tastes crappy, you will be less likely to drink it and will risk dehydration (which can lead to serious injury, even death). It is highly recommended that if you do bring water in used containers that you use that as utility water for cleaning and bathing, running mister systems, and such, and keep your drinking (and cooking) water only in new containers.
Second, never use garbage bags to store drinking water. The lining of garbage bags is usually impregnated with chemicals that retard spoilage and suppress odors, and are not safe for human consumption.
Third, keep your water bottles out of direct sunlight and away from strong odors. Sunlight is energetic enough to cause chemical reactions in the bottle's plastic, imparting unpleasant odors and tastes to the water. Also, if there is anything in the water, like bacteria or algae, the sunlight will foster growth, which could cause illness as well as bad taste. Keep in mind that the "milk jug" style plastic (polyethylene) breaths, allowing outside air to reach your water. Do not store your bottles near any chemicals or other things with strong odors -- don't store in a box next to a bag of onions unless you like onion flavored water!
And lastly, store your empty bottles with the caps loose or off. The desert heat can make the air in the bottle expand and alter the bottle's shape (round bottom or ruined handles) and can even split the seams.
Where to get water in Reno?
Reno and Sparks lay in a basin called the Truckee Meadows, an area of former wetlands through which flows the Truckee River. There are several establishments in the Truckee Meadows devoted exclusively to water and water products. I will spotlight three in this article. Two are in Reno: Simply Water on the west end of town off of I-80 and Crystal Springs just south of downtown, while the other is The Water Mart in the far corner of Sparks.
Some of you will be flying into Reno. You would probably prefer to lease or rent your water bottles, rather than buy and throw or give them away. Crystal Springs Water Co. works with burners for this. Their facility is built over an artesian well. Their well water is purified with reverse osmoses ("r/o") then a formula of minerals is added back into the water. A full 5 gallon bottle will cost $7.10 for drinking water and 7.45 for spring water plus deposit. The bottles must be clean (not sterile, just no playa dust caked on them) and you must retain and present your receipt for the refund.
If you bring your own containers you can fill them up at their coin operated vending machines at 35 cents per gallon. You can also get distilled water from these machines. These machines are outside, perfect for folks who arrive after business hours. They also have a hose for filling larger containers. From the airport (or US 395) take Plumb Lane west to Virginia Street then head north on Virginia to the "Y" intersection with Center Street. Turn right onto Center and they are up about a block on the left. From I-80 take the Virginia Street exit and head south. Cross the Truckee River and go about 5 more blocks to Taylor Street. Turn left on Taylor then left on Center.
For those of you are will be bringing your own containers, or who want to buy your containers in the Truckee Meadows, there is Simply Water and The Water Mart: These two stores have significant similarities. Both provide water purified by reverse osmosis ("r/o") but without the mineral additives used by Crystal Springs to "flavor" their water. Crystal Springs drinking water runs about 44 parts per million (ppm) total dissolved solids (tds) and and their steam distilled water is 0. Crystal Springs has also extended thier hours to accomodate burning man customers. They carry many sizes of bottles with and without spigots for outdoor use available in our watershop. Local tap water runs about 150 ppm tds, and the Water Mart's water averages 2 ppm tds!
Like Crystal Springs, Simply Water and The Water Mart also sell their water for 35 cents per gallon. Both are in shopping centers anchored by a major chain supermarket where you can pick up many of your other supplies. Both stores are enthusiastic supporters of Burning Man. For the last few years both stores stayed open extra hours to accommodate Burners, and expect to do so again this year.
Simply Water is at 411 Keystone Avenue in the Keystone Square Shopping Center on the western end of Reno. Take the Keystone Avenue exit from I-80 and its right there, just south of the freeway, on the west side of Keystone Avenue. Their Summer hours are 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, and 11:00 am to 5:00 Sunday, however, they will be staying open until at least 9 pm or later for Burning Man. The Keystone Square Shopping Center is anchored by an Albertson's Supermarket.
Also of interest in the area: all of the major chain fast foot outlets, a Ben's Fine Wine and Spirits, and Crystal Ice (1345 W. 4th Street) where you can get both "party," block and dry ice. Simply Water is next door to a Radio Shack and near Sundance Books. One block away is The Sportsman sporting goods store at 401 Vine Street.
The Water Mart is on the other side of the Truckee Meadows in northeastern Sparks at 1249 Baring Blvd. Take the Sparks Blvd. Exit (Exit 20) from I-80 and go north about 2 miles to Baring Blvd. The Water Mart is in the Baring Village Shopping Center on the corner of Sparks and Baring Boulevards. Their hours are 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 5 pm Saturday, Sunday and holidays. They will be open late on request - call or email if you need later service. Baring Village Shopping Center is anchored by a Smith's Supermarket (where you can get dry ice). The Water Mart has ice made from purified water at 89 cents for an 8 pound bag, $1.99 for 20 pounds and $4.49 for 50 pounds.
Also in The Baring Village Shopping Center are several restaurants (including an A & W, a Round Table Pizza, and one of the area's best Chinese establishments) and an Ace Hardware and Auto Parts store.
The Water Mart is no longer selling bikes, as the bike shop next door has since closed.
Both Simply Water and The Water Mart stock a wide variety of bottles and jugs in sizes from 1/2 liter, 1 liter and 1 1/2 liter, and 1/2 gallon, 1, 2, 2 ?, 3 & 5 gallon. Prices vary with size, style and type of plastic used in their construction. The Water Mart has two types of 5 gallon polyethylene utility jugs in stock: a mid-grade for $9.75 and a heavy duty for $11.95. Both jugs have a convenient spigot for easy dispensing. One gallon polyethylene "milk" style jugs are just 75 cents. All prices include being filled with water. Simply Water may have some containers larger than 5 gallons available - call or email your request.
Like Crystal Springs, both stores have the capacity to fill any size container from a sports bottle to a 55 gallon drum to an RV. Keep in mind water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon. If you are planning to transport a lot of water, be sure your vehicle is up to it!
Both Simply Water and The Water Mart stock a variety of other water related products. For example, The Water Mart has Polar neck and wrist wraps that will go a long way toward keeping you cool in the desert heat.
For containers larger than 5 gallons go to Twin City Surplus. Twin City, a.k.a. "The Big Red Barn" is midway between Reno and Sparks at 1675 E. 4th Street. From I-80 take the east 4th Street exit (the first exit east of the junction of I-80 and US 395) and turn west on 4th Street. They try to keep 20, 30 and 55 gallon sizes, both new and used "food grade" containers, in stock for Burning Man. As they are a surplus store their prices and stock on hand changes constantly. They also have just about every kind of camping and adventure gear and military surplus you can imagine - tents, tarps and parachutes are a specialty. They're not cheap, but neither are any of the other sporting goods stores in this area. If you don't like waiting in line for the portapotties at Burning Man, pick up your camp toilets here.
There are several sporting goods stores, such as REI, Big 5 and Mark, Fore and Strike. Sierra Trading Post sells new clothing and gear at outlet prices. Many stores sell Camelbak products; for the complete line, including parts and accessories, check out Reno Mountain Sports on Moana Lane. There are several specialty and health food retailers, the most popular being Trader Joe's and Wild Oats. Wild Oats has a (very slow) Culligan water vending machine in the store with r/o water at 39 cents per gallon.
There is also a great alternative to plastic bottled water called BIOTA. It comes in a corn-based bottle that has all the characteristics of plastic but will biodegrade in 80 days without any harmful effects to the environment. Although studies on the leaching properties of toxics from plastics (i.e. PET) may be inconclusive at this time, we know that BIOTA's corn-based bottle is 100% safe, especially when used/reused under extreme conditions. BIOTA is available in 12oz., 1/2 liter, and full liter sizes at many natural and health food stores throughout California and Nevada including: Rainbow Grocery, Whole Foods, Raley's, New Leaf Community Markets and Better Nutrition stores. For a complete listing of locations, visit biotaspringwater.com.
Contact:
Crystal Springs Water Co., 901 S. Center
Street, Reno, NV 89501
voice: 775 323-4710
crystal4burningman (at) yahoo (dot) com
crystalspringswater.org
Simply Water, 411 Keystone Ave., Reno, NV
89503
voice: 775 337-8111
mikeycadena (at) yahoo (dot) com
The Water Mart, 1249 Baring Blvd., Sparks,
NV 89434-8669
voice: 775 358-2500
fax: 775 358-6180
plee (at) accutek (dot) com
