SIKESTON — While many take for granted the water we use, the Southeast Missouri Regional Water District watches over the water needs of the area.
Formed in 1992, the District was created to promote and maintain water resources, conservation, management, development, and sponsoring.
It also serves for the participation in water resources planning and management programs of appropriate state, federal and local agencies, and financing such measures. Other functions to implement policies of the District may also be required from time-to-time as well.
According to Robert Cook, executive secretary of the District, many landowners don’t realize the regional water district is active.
“In many years there have been 14 permanent monitoring wells installed,” Cook said. “These wells are being tested for fertilizer contamination, water depth before and after irrigation drawdown and have the capability of testing for whatever is needed in the foreseeable future.”
He added the water district must maintain testing and proof that they are monitoring water. He also noted that no other agency or entity needs to investigate, participate, or regulate water in the District.
Cook said the Ozark Eroded Plateau west of the Bootheel had connected groundwater systems in the Karst topography in the area. The groundwater collects in the ground of the Missouri Ozarks and flows underground through Southeast Missouri, and that water eventually seeps into the Mississippi River.
“Our hydrology is complicated, both in the Ozarks and Southeast Missouri,” Cook said. “The US Geological survey is attempting to figure out how our hydrology works. When the river levels drop, our water table drops. We will drill shallow wells because we can. Other places in the country require deeper, bigger wells and larger pumps to access water.”
Cook added groundwater in the area is a significant asset that needs monitoring and protection.
“Your interest must be represented,” Cook said. “Each county in the District has a representative on the board of directors.”
The District is made up of seven counties in Southeast Missouri (Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, and Stoddard) and managed by a board of directors. Board members are nominated and voted on by the landowners within the District. Current board members are: Allen Rowland (Stoddard County), Mike Woolard (Butler County), Laura Collins (Scott County), Brian Feezor (Mississippi County), Ray Nabors (New Madrid County), Jack Tipton (Pemiscot County) and Steve Hawkins (Dunklin County).
The board serves as unpaid volunteers while the executive and clerical assistant get paid small stipends. The cost of the program is paid for by landowners with irrigation wells. There is a $5 annual fee assessed upon each irrigation well in the District.
Currently, the water district is cooperating with the US Geological survey as they access the hydrology of the lower Mississippi River water sources. Some water supplies further south in the Delta are at capacity use, and because the Southeast Missouri groundwater capacity far exceeds the use rate.
The survey participants are making note that not all the Delta water supply is identical.
“The numbers for the Southeastern counties of Missouri are remarkable,” Cook said. “Here are some facts. We use approximately 750 billion gallons of water annually; however, we recharge at a rate of three times the amount we use.”
Cook said the area was not running out of water and added that groundwater conditions are getting recognized as unique because of work done by the District.
“The drawdown in summer from irrigation does drop the water table approximately 10 feet,” Cook said. “The recharge each winter brings the water table back to what is normal for the area.”
While the board keeps an eye on groundwater conditions, they also have and continue to watch for any legislation that may harm the water usage in the District.
“A few years ago the political forces in the state as requested by the water district landowners rallied and passed a law that Southeast Missouri water could not be transported out of our state by any means,” Cook said.
The District meets quarterly, or as needed, at the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center, south of Portageville, Mo.
Citizens of the counties within the District are welcome to attend the meetings as a guest. Anyone outside the District counties is required to have permission from their board of directors to attend.
“Any citizen of the included counties can contact their district board member to ask questions,” Cook said. “Input from all citizens within the District is given consideration. Support your water district to protect and monitor your water.”