CITY ACCEPTS GRANT FOR WATER PLANT

The Cape Girardeau City Council has approved an ordinance to accept a $729,750 federal grant to improve the city's water treatment plant.

In a session Thursday, council did a special reading to meet a U.S. Economic Development Administration deadline for the money.

Council had to make the decision within 45 days of the project's Aug. 26 approval in Washington, D.C.

The grant will be used to improve the intake facilities and allow installation of a backup power supply for the water treatment plant No. 1.

The extra power supply is to be used during flood conditions.

The city will pay $243,250 for the project, which is estimated to cost $973,000.

Capital improvement funds would be used to pay for the project.

Water Systems Manager Tom Taggart said the city may ask the EDA to revise the project's description if wells being tested prove favorable.

The revision would show the city planned to modify the project for the use of wells rather than the current system.

"It would be like heading toward the same destination, but using a different street to get there," Taggart said.

"The backup power supply wouldn't change, but there would be some changes made in other areas," he added.

Results from the wells' tests are expected in two or three weeks.

If the wells become the city's primary water source, it could mean a saving in chemicals and the size of the expansion to the plant.

The wells are in an alluvium, a sandy, clay deposit formed from the gradual flow of the river.

The alluvium acts as a natural filter for the wells as the flows through layers of gravel and rock.

The gravel and rock block out particles and waste from river water, meaning there would be fewer steps in the water's treatment.

The current system uses chemicals to remove these particles and wastes.

The next scheduled city council meeting is Monday.