Escondido Mobile Home Park Residents Rely on Water from Hose

"Bring your own bucket," the notice said, and residents of Mountain Shadows Mobile Home Park got angry. For five days in mid-September, no water came from faucets and no toilets could be flushed due to a broken water valve. According to a 27-year resident, management had decided to "benefit" the neighborhood by installing multiple valves instead of having just one.

"In the event of a problem," he said, "the water can be turned off one section at a time, instead of shutting the whole park off." In the process of installing the new valves, however, a worker for the contractor inadvertently broke a valve while digging. The problem couldn't be fixed until new parts came in, and that took a few days.

"It's out of our hands," the community manager said in her notice. "I know that all of you need water. If you have buckets and a wrench, there is a hose hooked up on the other side of the park by the maintenance shop, but you need pliers (or a wrench) to turn it on. You may go get your buckets full."