CITY SEEKS ALTERNATIVES TO WATER PLANT PROBLEM

While workers at Cape Girardeau's water plant disassemble and reinstall intake pumps, other city employees are looking for a permanent solution to problems behind last week's boil-water order.

The city issued the order at about 10:30 a.m. Friday, warning residents that they should boil all drinking water for five minutes.

Trouble began when an intake pump drawing from the Mississippi River broke during spring flooding. That was OK because the city needs only two pumps for normal operation, and the plant had three. But then a second pump broke Thursday and the third Friday morning, and water pressure dropped to an unacceptable level.

The problem might have been prevented had the first pump been repaired earlier, but it was under water and inaccessible until Thursday. While the river dropped below flood stage a month ago, the intake pumps are much lower in the water.

The boil-water order was lifted Sunday morning. The plant is operating with one permanent and one temporary pump. Two more permanent pumps will be installed later.

Utility manager Tom Taggart said the city has been looking for a different way to get water since the 1993 flood, which also took its toll on water-cleaning equipment. Cape Girardeau received a $729,750 federal grant to help solve the problem.

It would be best if the city began getting its water from wells, Taggart said. Well water has a consistent temperature, carries less silt and is generally cleaner than river water.

The city is studying the possibility of accessing well water. If that proves impossible, the existing intake system will have to be improved.

The total cost of any water improvement project would run just under $1 million in grant money and matching city funds.