Natural Minerals & More

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — The famed "natural mineral water" baths at Saratoga Spa State Park have been diluted with regular tap water for the past two decades, state officials confirmed Monday.

The park's baths attract about 14,000 customers a year who pay $20 for the privilege of soaking in the bubbly water. The state and the company that operates the baths, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, mix heated public drinking water with the chilly carbonated mineral water.

… it was not immediately clear why the mixing started. The Post said it began when a mineral water heater used by the park since the 1930s broke down.

------ Ummm, not clear why the State and Xanterra lied and committed fraud on the peasantry? About $280,000 per year for a bubbly dip comes to mind, not counting the extras they buy while at the facility. What's a little faucet water gonna hurt.

From Xanterra webpage: "Life is short. The world is large. And your vacation time is too precious to waste on the commonplace. Our properties combine dramatic settings and landmark buildings with exceptional service to deliver extraordinary experiences."

Yep. It's exceptional service when folks will pay $20 to sit for 20 minutes in bubbling water with total strangers, discussing how much better the rheumatism feels. Saratoga Spa describes itself as the "Public's Resort." That's precious. A public toile.… ur um I mean public bathhouse, where you are not wasting time on the commonplace, but on the extraordinary experience of a being where everyone trusts everyone not to pee in warm tap water.