Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:

Presentation by Alex Dzurick, Energy Educator with Columbia Water and Light

This presentation was originally given on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Les Bourgeois Bistro, Rocheport, MO. 

• 2-11-14_alexdzurick_From-Aquifer-to-Tap

Alex Dzurick from Columbia Water and Light discussed Columbia's drinking water source, the alluvial aquifer beneath the McBaine Bottoms.

On top of the agricultural productivity gained from irrigation and predictable flooding, rivers have also been the major source of potable water since the dawn of humanity. Today, as erosion and contamination threaten our water supply, we rely on treated water to serve our needs. Luckily for those of us in Columbia, a natural alluvial aquifer in the McBaine Bottoms serves as the first step in the filtration of potable water.

Formed from glacial deposits along the river's edge, this aquifer holds 44 billion gallons of naturally filtered water, which is then secondarily treated at the City's water treatment plant before being piped to customers. Thanks to the aquifer, the water in Columbia is of very high quality and exceeds the water quality standards set by the EPA.

Alex Dzurick from Columbia Water and Light discussed Columbia's drinking water source, the alluvial aquifer beneath the McBaine Bottoms.