The old adage, “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone,” is really true when it comes to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and water.

We turn on our faucets and expect clean, fresh water to come out. When it doesn’t work out that way, we are shocked and bewildered.

And we call the city office to complain.

At least, that’s what we should do.

Most of us don’t want to be known as complainers. We don’t want to bother city employees with our little problems because we know they are busy taking care of much larger issues.

When it comes to water, the city needs to know. We’ve spent a lot of money on a new water treatment plant and it is producing quality water.

Why aren’t some customers able to enjoy it?

That’s what the city wants to know. If you do not receive the best possible quality of water at your home or business, you should let the city know. After all, we all are paying for good, drinkable water.

Water is a basic necessity and one that should be attainable.

Let’s help the city by reporting irregularities in any of our utilities. What might start as a little problem today could turn into a major expense later on.

Sure, no one likes to hear complaints and few of us actually enjoy complaining, but if we don’t tell the city about problems, how can they be fixed?

They won’t get fixed if we only complain at the coffee shop or to our neighbors.

— susan berg