Missouri American Water filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC) to review its water and wastewater rates, a move motivated by nearly $770 million in completed or planned investments from January 2021 to May 2023.

The MoPSC’s review of the company’s request is expected to take 11 months.

Any new rates approved by the MoPSC are not expected to become effective until mid-2023, which would be five years since the last change in base water rates for area customers.

“Our proactive investments are a critical component to providing safe, clean and reliable service to families and businesses across the state,” said Rich Svindland, president of Missouri American Water. “Many of our pipes and treatment plants were built 50-100 years ago, and our continued investments are key to protecting customers, the communities we serve and the environment.”

Investments in the rate review include the replacement or installation of 280 miles of aging water and wastewater pipelines about the distance from St. Louis to Joplin to help reduce main breaks and sewer overflows. Improvement projects also include the upgrading of treatment plants, storage tanks, wells, pumping and lift stations, fire hydrants, meters and more.

Key water projects include a replacement of the chlorine gas systems with sodium hypochlorite systems in Mexico and Warrensburg, while in Jefferson City, a replacement of 6,500 feet of cast-iron pipe, installed in 1954, with PVC along Industrial Drive

Key wastewater projects will take place about four communities around the state.

Missouri American Water is also targeting the replacement of lead service lines.

“We are meeting and surpassing new federal regulations to remove all lead service lines by 2030 in communities we serve, including the customer-owned portion of the service line,” said Rebecca Losli, Vice President of Engineering and Business Development. “Many lead service lines are located in older, underserved areas of our community, and we are replacing the entire lead service line at no direct cost to our customers.”

If the request is approved by regulators as proposed, the bill for a typical volumetric water customer using an average of 4,200 gallons monthly would increase about $12 or $13 per month.

The bill for a typical volumetric wastewater customer would stay about the same, and the bill for flat rate wastewater customers would increase by $3 to $10 per month, depending on the service area.

Current bills include an adjustment for the Water and Sewer Infrastructure Act to help pay for certain completed improvement projects.

Under the rate review process, these projects are reviewed and may be included in any new rates set by the MoPSC.

For more information on the company’s rate review, visit www.missouriamwater.com and select “Your Water and Wastewater Rates” under the Customer Service menu.

- Alan Dale contributed to this report