History of the Memphis Water
Ground water is a precious, natural resource used across the nation for irrigation of crops, as drinking water, for industrial and medical multiple uses, and by individual home owners. Other natural systems such as rivers and wetlands may also benefit from ground water if levels approach the ground surface.  Arror Arum (Peltandra virginica), a native wetland species.
In the Southeastern United States, a series of fresh water aquifers lay in what is called the Mississippi Embayment. One aquifer in particular is the Memphis aquifer that is also called the "500 foot" sands. This aquifer contains an enormous supply of excellent drinking water in the Mid-South; however, this fact was unkown until the late 1800s. 
A major metropolis in the Mid-South, Memphis first attempted to supply drinking water from the Wolf River to its citizens in 1870. Increase in usage of this sytem followed the yellow fever epidemic when flushing water was needed for the new sanitation system. However, a public movement in 1885 pushed for a more reliable drinking water supply with the major concern of reducing the turbidity. During process of the proposal, Mr. R. C. Graves, superintendent of the Buhlen-Huse Ice Co., had a 354-foot well sunk near downtown. Punching through a 150-foot thick clay layer, the Memphis aquifer was tapped and a flowing well of abundant water resulted. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Early boring rig including auger and tripod.
Memphis, Light, Gas and Water production well within the Sheahan well field Since that time, more than 180 wells have been drilled, tapping the Memphis aquifer for drinking water. Some industries have made Memphis their home specifically because of the water supply and the high quality. The ground water from the Memphis aquifer is considered to be among the best water in the nation. On average approximately 300 million gallons a day is pumped from the aquifer with additional pumpage from the large Fort Pillow aquifer, located beneath the Memphis aquifer. A desire to understand, improve, and protect these natural resources provided the motivation for establishing the Ground Water Institute at the University of Memphis in 1992.