BOILING CITY WATER IS A REMINDER OF NEEDED UPGRADING

Cape Girardeau residents in the past week have received a graphic reminder of the importance of a quality water system. This city of 35,000 population was under a boil-water order for just over two days.

Occasional orders to boil the water that comes out of the tap aren't uncommon for many small towns in the region. But it was the first time many Cape Girardeau residents had ever had to comply with such a directive.

City officials said there was never any danger to the water supply. But state regulations say a boil a warning to boil water must be issued when water pressure in the city system drops below a certain level.

Two intake pumps drawing water from the Mississippi River broke last week. A third pump had broken some time ago, but repairs couldn't begin until the water level at the pump station dropped far enough. Water officials said record floods in 1993 and again this year took their toll on the pumping equipment.

The boil-water order was difficult enough at home. It proved especially challenging for commercial businesses. Restaurants had to keep bottled water or curtail sales of soft drinks, coffee and tea. Ice and bottled water were in short supply. City water users were also asked to conserve all water consumption at the start of the problem. And all this came at one of the hottest times of the year.

City officials recognize the need to address this problem soon. Pumps may have to be raised. While the river dropped below flood stage a month ago, the intake pumps are much lower in the water. It wasn't until late last week that the river had dropped low enough to repair the first pump that had broken.

The city is also examining the possibility of increasing water production by accessing more well water. It was the topic of discussion at the city council's retreat in April. The city's two water plants have a current capacity of 7.3 million gallons a day. On Tuesday, about 6.8 million gallons were used. On Wednesday, the usage was 6.5 million gallons. That kind of usage doesn't leave much of a cushion in the city's water capacity.

This July's predicament provided more of an aggravation than a risk for water customers. But it may provide a vivid illustration of why people need to support a move to upgrade and improve the city water system.