“DJs Suspended For Water Joke That Didn't Wash”

From The Kitsap Sun

Chris Barron, Sun Staff — Apr 3rd, 2004

In the end, it was Robin and Maynard who ended up all wet -- with dihydrogen monoxide.

The morning hosts of Seattle radio station 100.7 KQBZ-FM, known as The Buzz, were suspended for one day Friday after an April Fools' Day prank about Bremerton's water supply fell flat.

The radio station suspended Robin Erickson and John Maynard after they played a three-hour joke that said the Navy contaminated the city of Bremerton's water supply with dihydrogen monoxide -- the chemical name for water.

"It was irresponsible, and although it was an April Fools' Day joke, the last thing we wanted to do was cause any harm to any communities or public services," said KQBZ station manager Dave Richards. "It was not meant to harm anyone, and we apologize."

An apology repeatedly ran on the air Friday.

During the prank, Bremerton and Kitsap County officials asked the station to tell its listeners the skit was just a prank, but the hosts didn't do so until just before their show ended at 10 a.m.

Phyllis Mann, director of Kitsap County Emergency Management, said she and her staff spent about five hours Thursday dealing with the issue. Other city and county agencies also received calls from concerned residents.

Mann said she is asking her staff and any other city and county agencies affected by the prank to add up the time spent addressing the prank.

"I want everyone to gather up the amount of time and charges it cost them because I want to know how much this joke cost our community," she said.