Columbia Water and Light hopes Thornbrook water issues solved

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia's Water and Light Advisory Board heard Monday from city officials who say they hope low water pressure issues in the city's southwest neighborhoods is no longer a problem.

This comes after the Thornbrook neighborhood had three boil water advisories since June.

According to Thornbrook resident Julie Ryan, this has been a problem since 2016, and it's on the city to ensure the infrastructure is able to support the surrounding neighborhoods.

"While we know irrigation is a contributing factor, we also know that then the city, it's on the city to make sure the infrastructure is in place," Ryan said.

In an update during Monday's meeting, the city says it identified a water main break in June as a construction issue and is working to prevent issues in the future. In addition, to help address the low pressure in the southwest area, the city has developed a voluntary irrigation schedule and has been working to get out to residents.

The city also believes the area irrigation system was reset when new batteries were put in at some point, which caused issues. They said after doing a check Monday morning using the voluntary schedule, they saw positive pressure results.

The city began looking into building a new water tower in 2016 which was voter-approved in 2018 but has yet to buy land for the water tower. This water tower would service the southwest area on Columbia.

Thornbrook residents get their water from the water tower on East Walnut Street, which is approximately 5 miles from the Thornbrook neighborhood.

According to Ryan, the city was supposed to have this new water tower built by 2021. The city said in their Monday update that they have narrowed down locations for the water tower but they are still working with property owners and doing evaluations to make sure those locations will be best.

The city also said while they don't have an irrigation ordinance, they are currently working to develop one.