The McBaine Water Treatment Plant is planning to nearly double its water supply from 32 million gallons to 60 million gallons.

The expansion will meet future water demand as well as look toward possible regulatory requirements that might require changes in the treatment process, said Connie Kacprowicz, Columbia Water and Light utility services specialist. This change comes despite Columbia growing at a rate far less than expected.

“It takes several years to decide what is needed in the expansion, the cost, how to pay for it and build the plant before the demand increases,” Kacprowicz said. “The City Council has not decided when the expansion would take place yet since it is still very early in the process.”

Kacprowicz said expansion would be beneficial because it would meet water demands with higher quality water. Kacprowicz also said it will be necessary in the future, though when is to be decided.

The exact amount of the renovation will be decided in the future, despite reports stating it will have a $65 million dollar price tag.

“I’m not sure where this figure is coming from,” Kacprowicz said. “Nothing has been decided yet, so a cost estimate is not available.”

The city will be looking for more affordable alternatives than expanding the plant, and the plant’s engineering report has several options, she said.