2003-04-06 We have seen time and time again, that when numbers are converted from SI to FFU, back to SI, then back to FFU again, they become a jumble. One has no idea what is the real amount, because the converted results will always be rounded far from their actual value.
Someone on this list a few days ago reported hearing the amount as 635 000 gallons, which is a much closer conversion to 2.4 ML, then 600 000 gallons is. It seems it is easier to remember the 600 000 figure then the 635 000 figure. So, the 600 000 figure is the most often reported. As I even stated not long ago, our newspaper had a map with the 2.4 ML/day figure at first, then the map was edited a few days later to show 600 000 gallons. I really don't care if the FFU is accurate or not. It is the SI that I care about. If the FFU-ists want to call 2.4 ML and 500 000 gallons, just to make it an easier number to remember, go for it. Just make sure the metric is always correct. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terry Simpson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, 2003-04-06 10:57 Subject: [USMA:25448] water All the reports that I have read and heard about Iraq quoted water quantities in litres. This includes, of course, when British forces supply the water. However, I did hear a report on BBC Radio4 yesterday from a British reporter with American forces. The reporter said that the soldiers were supplying '600 gallons per hour'. This would be US gallons so he was not being helpful to his UK listeners who only understand litres or imperial gallons. It is 10 gallons per minute and is such a nice round number that I suspect it may come from a reading from flow meter or a pump specification.
