Citing a $950 million statewide investment in water and sewer systems from 2018 through mid-2022, Missouri American Water announced Tuesday the company filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to review its water rates.
The rate review includes $920 million in water system improvements and $30 million in sewer system improvements, according to Missouri American Water officials.
Investments in the rate review include replacement of approximately 275 miles of aging water and sewer pipelines and upgrading of treatment plants, storage tanks, wells and pumping stations across the state.
"With more than 160 miles of water pipe serving area customers, we must continue to make these investments to maintain and improve service. Replacing the Jefferson City water treatment plant's clear well, built in 1888, was an especially important project to support the continued delivery of quality water," said Brent Haas, Missouri American Water's Jefferson City operations manager.
Missouri American Water officials expect the PSC's review and audit of the request will take 11 months. Any new rates, if approved by the PSC, would not become effective until mid-2021.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Missouri American Water is continuing its temporary moratorium on shut-offs for non-payment and has suspended all late fees since March.
If the company's proposed rates are approved as requested, the monthly water bill for a typical residential customer in Jefferson City using 4,000 gallons per month would be $40, an increase of about 20 cents a day.
For more information on the company's rate review, call customer service at 1-866-430-0820 or visit missouriamwater.com and select "Your Water and Wastewater Rates" under the Customer Service menu.
The headline of this story was updated at 5:30 p.m. July 3, 2020, to fix an inaccuracy.