Water and sewer systems not more prone to breakdown on Super Bowl Sunday
Despite widespread beliefs, water and sewer systems aren't prone to more breakdowns on pro football's biggest day of the year. Electricity use actually goes down, not up.
Q. Is it true that water and sewer systems in America's major cities are more prone to breakdowns or backups on Super Bowl Sunday because everyone goes to the bathroom at halftime and flushes at about the same time?
A. No, that's a classic "urban legend" with no statistical evidence to, er, back it up.
Anyone who has ever watched football's big game knows it's filled with tons of commercials, allowing viewers countless opportunities to relieve themselves. Only the most ardent fan who doesn't want to risk missing a single play or commercial will delay a potty break until halftime or when the postgame show comes on.
The myth appeared to gain some credibility when a 16-inch water main in Salt Lake City broke during the 1984 Super Bowl, inconveniencing thousands of local residents. But water experts note that the Utah city's sewage system, like those in most metropolises, is antiquated and prone to constant breakdowns. The fact that this one occurred on Super Sunday was merely a coincidence.
There's another fallacy about Super Bowl Sunday, but it involves energy use. With roughly 110 million Americans watching the game each year, it's reasonable to think that electricity usage would soar as they all huddle around their televisions.
The opposite is true. That's because most folks watch the game at Super Bowl parties with their friends at home or in a bar. If you host a party with 15 guests, they'll likely turn their TVs and lights off in their own homes before arriving at yours. Electricity demand drops.
Also, General Electric reports that lots of folks don't use their electric appliances much on Super Sunday to cook like they would for a holiday dinner. They instead opt for the standard chips and dip, cold-cut platters or takeout pizza. That means demand for the energy needed to run ovens and other appliances also drop.
Real estate trivia: Though spring won't arrive for eight more weeks, many salespeople say the end of the Super Bowl brings the "unofficial" start of the prime home-buying season, as consumers turn their attention away from the gridiron and back to making real estate deals.
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