New Cryptosporidium-Fighting Treatment Plant Comes To Joplin, MO
Joplin, MO just got itself a twofer. A new water treatment facility will add an extra five million gallons of clean water a day for economic development AND it will inactivate the cryptosporidium bacteria with ultra violet light.
Joplin celebrated the new water treatment plant Thursday with a ribbon cutting. Joplin's water is provided by St. Louis-based Missouri American Water, which provides utility services in 19 states and has invested $1.5 billion in new facilities in the past three years.
Christie Barnhart of Missouri American Water says this plant is also using new ultaviolet light technology.
"Specifically, the ultra violet light is the only form of treatment that inactivates a bacteria known as cryptosporidium and the use of UV treatment for surface water plants is an upcoming EPA regulation," says Barnhart. "So this is something that definitely does enhance water quality."
The new facility also improves Joplin's disinfection and filter systems. The community decided to hold the ribbon cutting now in honor of National Drinking Water Week. Joplin is located in southwest Missouri, not far from the borders of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
