UPGRADE IN WATER INTAKE FROM RIVER PROVIDES GOOD BACKUP

Nearly $1 million will be spent on a project to upgrade the Cape Girardeau water system's ability to take water from the Mississippi River, which has been the city's primary source for years. This upgrade is being funded mostly by a federal grant and isn't part of the $26.5 million bond issue for water system improvements approved by voters in November.

During the river flooding that has occurred since 1993, the city's water intake system has been sorely tested. Because of the potential for losing that capability during flood conditions, the city sought a grant to make the necessary changes that would allow the city to take in river water even during the worst flood.

With the passage of the bond issue, plans are to begin taking most of the city's water from wells. But that objective won't be fully met until the summer of 1999 at the earliest. In the meantime, the city needs to safeguard its river water source. Moreover, the river water intake system will continue to provide an alternative to the wells if the need should every arise.

Voters strongly supported the costly improvements to the city's water system, and the commitment is likely to take care of ever-growing water demand well into the next century.