From rainfall to well water, how Columbia Missouri gets their water

Earlier today we saw some widespread showers and storms, with some of those being severe. That same rainwater from those showers and storms will end up one day being your drinking water if you drink from water provided by the City of Columbia. Ever wonder how the process works?

Long ago glaciers moved through the Missouri River Valley depositing sand, gravel and boulders. This was set up perfectly to create a natural filter in the ecosystem to eventually fill up the aquifer. The city of Columbia has a location for their well down to the southwest towards the Missouri River. The location is near McBaine Missouri, where the filtration process will occur.

The process starts as precipitation will fall back to the surface of the earth. After that it becomes runoff water which can range from water off the side of your house, or even small streams. Then the soil will start to saturate eventually filtering through the aquifer, or it will be deposited in a well. The city of Columbia's well is 110 feet deep underground. After that, it'll have additional chemicals added for filtration and eventually become your drinking water.