he importance tothe continuing operation of the companies. It is anticipated by gas companies that thistesting, and any required modifications to systems, will be completed by July, 1999. Major Hospital uses gas for heating and lab equipment. However, Major Hospital isunlikely to be affected by a gas outage because gasoline-powered electric generators willtake over in the event of an outage and run most systems.Wastewater and sewage treatment facilities are highly automated and contain year2000-vulnerable embedded chips. Also, emissions monitoring and control systems dependon year 2000-vulnerable embedded controls. Malfunctions due to Y2K problems couldlead to accidental pollutant-filled releases and emissions that could endanger localresidents. In August, 1998, a malfunctioning computer in Boulder, Colorado was blamedfor water main breaks that cut service to over 40 homes, flooded basements and garages,and turned city streets into raging rivers. A computer controlling water pressure gaveinaccurate readings, prompting a city worker to open the mains. Some residents andbusinesses were left without water for over a week. Major Hospital staff have preparedfor a water shortage. They have stocked up on bottled water, just as every other hospitalhas done. However, bottled water will only last so long. In the event of a prolongedwater shortage, such as the one in Boulder, Major Hospital personnel will be faced withpersonal hygiene and medicine issues. Patients must be bathed on a daily basis andwashed off completely. It is difficult to comprehend a hospital as an unsanitaryenvironment; where doctors must scrub repeatedly to reduce the risk of infection andpatients must be kept free of germs. Medicines are sometimes mixed with water to formtheir completed structure. This crux could alarm the many patients who depend on thesemedicines. The sewage treatment plant in Shelbyille, Indiana that services Major Hospitalstates that the p...
