Mexico residents may be experiencing temporary water service interruptions, discolored water and/or lower-than-normal water pressure. Missouri American Water has been working on local improvement projects after releasing plans for a $2.4 million investment in water system improvements to enhance the reliability of water service to Mexico customers last December.

Improvements include upgrading old 4-inch, 6-inch, and 10-inch cast iron mains originally installed in the 1950s and 1960s. Missouri American Water will replace the old pipes with new 8-inch and 12-inch PVC mains. The locations included in the improvement projects include approximately 2,400 feet along N. Craig Street, MacFarlane Street, and Eastholm Street, approximately 3,300 feet along E. Orange Street and East Vine Street, and more than 1,700 feet along E. Love Street between Woodlawn Street and Agricultural, Highway J.

Work began in December for N. Craig Street, MacFarlane Street, and Eastholm Street location and is estimated to be completed by the end of this month. Work began this month for the E. Orange Street and East Vine and E. Love Street between Woodlawn Street and Agricultural, Highway J, Street. Both projects will be complete by late spring. 

According to Patrick Kelly, Mexico operations manager for Missouri American Water, Replacing pipes that have a history of main breaks and are reaching the end of their useful life increases service reliability for customers and local businesses.  “We know these projects will help us continue to deliver clean, safe, and reliable drinking water, both now and for generations to come.” 

The project will also include main replacement work which will include all crossings, hydrants, valves, and services within the scope of the project and will provide additional support for local firefighters. 

Mexico Public Safety Chief Susan Rockett said, “Missouri American Water’s investments in our city’s water infrastructure supports fire flow to enhance community fire protection.”

Additional projects with Missouri American Water will include a 12-inch directional drill replacement scheduled for Norfolk Southern Railroad to replace the existing 10-inch cast iron main, originally installed in 1960, by directional drilling roughly 1,800 feet of 12-inch pipe. According to the department, approximately 1,300 feet will be PVC Cert-a-Lok and 500 feet will be high-density polyethylene (HDPE) main. Work is estimated to be completed in April 2022 and includes a creek crossing. 

Most work takes place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Projects are expected to be completed on time, with restoration of any disturbed land to be completed in spring 2022, weather-permitting.