News Release 545

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IDENTIFIES WATER SUPPLIES THAT COULD SUPPORT A LONG-RANGE REGIONAL WATER PLAN FOR NORTHWEST MISSOURI

Volume 34-545

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 11, 2006 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources conducted a study of public water supplies and found seven systems that could serve as hubs in a long-range regional water plan for 12 counties in northwest Missouri.

The department will present the results of the Baseline Study of Water Treatment Facilities in northwest Missouri during a public meeting on Dec. 12. The Water Partnership Team will hold the public meeting at 10 a.m. at The Station, located at 800 University Drive on the Northwest Missouri State University campus in Maryville.

The seven public water supply systems include Missouri American Water Co. in St. Joseph, Middlefork Water Company in Gentry County, and the cities of Cameron, Maryville, Plattsburg, Bethany and Savannah. These water systems have the capacity to extend their services to other customers.

The Department of Natural Resources gathered information from 83 community public water systems in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Harrison, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth counties. Technical staff categorized each of the water systems as one of the following:

1) capable of serving additional customers in the future, or may be doing so now,

2) able to serve present customers and meet future demand for those customers with normal maintenance and minimal upgrading, and the system has a life expectancy exceeding five years,

3) need additional water source or new water treatment plant, or

4) purchase water from another water system.

Currently, 42 of the 83 systems are purchasing treated water from other water system.

The Department of Natural Resources and Northwest Missouri State University sponsors the Water Partnership Team. The team consists of representatives from each county engaged in a regional planning strategy. The department, with the support of other state and federal agencies, offers technical expertise and conducts research studies. The team is working to develop a plan that will secure abundant and affordable water for everyone in northwest Missouri. A long-range regional plan will be more cost-effective than maintaining independent, outdated water treatment systems with diminishing output.

"This is good news to hear about the additional resources available," said Harlan Higginbotham, chair of the Water Partnership Team. "We want to maximize the use of existing facilities before exploring more costly options for Missouri's northwest region."

"There are immediate water needs in northwest Missouri that must be addressed," said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers. "It would be beneficial for city councils and water district boards in the 12 counties to join the Water Partnership Team and consider short- and long-term solutions rather than investing heavily in older plants when better options are on the horizon."

For more information on the department's survey, call David Williams of the Department of Natural Resources' Maryville Satellite Office at 660-582-5210.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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