Classroom
As with CERI, there is not a lot to "see" at the Ground Water Institute. The Institute itself is made up of office space and computer labs which are used to analyze information obtained from the field.
Monitoring Well
Much of the work of the Institute is done in the field where scientists and students from the University of Memphis conduct tests on the groundwater in and around Memphis. Here is a picture of a monitoring well used to check ground water near an old landfill in the Shelby Farms area. The landfill hasn't been used since the 80's, but researchers are concerned about a plume of contamination that seems to be moving out from the landfill area.
Mississippi Embayment Display
After a quick tour of the physical part of GWI, we will have a briefing by a staff member of the institute. Using the display
pictured here and other visual aids, the staff member will lead a discussion about GWI, it's history and the history of Memphis' water supply.
The ground water from the Memphis Aquifer is considered to be some of the best in the world. The Memphis Aquifer is among a large group of aquifers in the southeastern United States that lay in what is called the Mississippi Embayment. The Memphis Aquifer also called the "500 foot" sands, contains an enormous amount of fresh drinking water.
pictured here and other visual aids, the staff member will lead a discussion about GWI, it's history and the history of Memphis' water supply.
The ground water from the Memphis Aquifer is considered to be some of the best in the world. The Memphis Aquifer is among a large group of aquifers in the southeastern United States that lay in what is called the Mississippi Embayment. The Memphis Aquifer also called the "500 foot" sands, contains an enormous amount of fresh drinking water.