Public water systems rely on intricate processes and expertise

For most people, the whoosh of water down the drain puts the work behind it out of sight and out of mind until something happens to disrupt the process.

Many water customers turn on the tap to fill their baths, wash dishes or brush their teeth without thinking about the hours and intricate process it takes to bring that water to them, or take it away from their homes once they're done using it.

However, Tuesday's spill of hydraulic fluid into the Owasco River served as a reminder. While a forklift's leak of hydraulic fluid did not affect the nearby water filtration plant, it spread into the water a mere mile from where the city draws its drinking water.