BS: Official Thinking

Subject: BS: Official Thinking
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 12:45 PM

I've just read a news item that the drinking water for the city of Phoenix has been muddied by recent storms and flooding. Residents of the city are being urged to use bottled water or to boil tap water.

This paragraph was included in the story:

Ken Kroski, a spokesman for the Phoenix Water Services Department, said there were no health effects from the "turbidity," or cloudiness, caused by the muddy water. However, it could interfere with water disinfection, provide a medium for bacterial growth, and indicate a presence of disease-causing organisms, he said.

Doesn't the second sentence contradict the Kroski's statement? Or am I thinking too much again?

Subject: RE: BS: Official Thinking
From: Peace
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 12:51 PM

Seems to me the first sentence is in the past tense. The second is in the future. (I know the fancy names, but past and future work jus' fine.)

Subject: RE: BS: Official Thinking
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 12:57 PM

Translated: This water currently has no verified adverse health effects; however, the public should be made aware that these conditions create risks which should be monitored.