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Replacement of Water Mains

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Priority Challenge: Upgrading Water Infrastructure

Source/Author: Water Department

Funding is needed to replace large-diameter water mains, small-diameter water mains, as well as conduits. Large-diameter water mains are used to move water across our distribution system while smaller water mains provide water service to residential customers. The Hampton Ave and East Grand large water mains have had several breaks and have been taken out of service due to their unreliability. Small-diameter water mains are spread throughout the City. The number of water mains replaced can be matched to the available funds.

This could be fully or partially funded by the Rams Settlement funds, and is compatible with a municipal endowment fund. It could potentially be supplemented by City capital funds or bond issuance, state or federal funding, or a significant water rate increase. This idea would be administered by the City’s Water Department.

Funding Considerations

  • Cost estimate: $27,000,000
  • Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): Yes
  • Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) No
  • Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) Yes
  • Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? No
  • Are there other potential funding sources? Yes

City: Bond issuance, City capital funds

State: Clean Water State Revolving Fund

Federal: Clean Water State Revolving Fund, ARPA

Other: Water rate increase

Official updates

Last update: July 10, 2024

Comments(116)

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Profile of Paula Kyla Oudshoorn
Posted by:Paula Kyla Oudshoorn
2 years ago
Water and infrastructure benefit 100% of the population, tourists, businesses and is the best use of Rams money
  • no likes
Profile of Elaine Laura
Posted by:Elaine Laura
2 years ago
You’re right, Ms. Dempsey, folks are leaving St. Louis because we are seeping in nearly two centuries of inferior, inequitable, and inaccurate system of charging for water distribution, known as flat rate billing on our every three months water bill. MSD, on the other hand bills us, the consumer, who are denied the benefits of technology, conservation and compliance to Industry Standards, as Unmetered Water. Two utilities that have failed to make any plans, any improvements in meeting minimum standards of metering as highly recommended by two adopted city wide plans. We’ve been duped.
  • no likes
Profile of Dorothy Dempsey
Posted by:Dorothy Dempsey
2 years ago
Dorothy Dempsey Greetings and Happy New Years to everyone, Now is the time, we must have a solution. How will the Rams settlement be used? There have been many worthwhile suggestions however, Childcare and the Underground pipes, are very high on the priority list. outdated street lights, overgrown untrimmed trees, left behind tree stumps are all the other major problems. The Downtown St. Louis issue is nothing compared to the damage control needed for the Northside Penrose Area and other city neighborhoods. A Beautified Downtown to impress visitors, sounds good. Yet St. Louis residents are leaving the city in droves because of the poor living conditions. Yes we want St. Louis visitors to be able to come into a beautiful city. But it should not be a major issue compared to the very pressing issues and needs of the St. Louis city neighborhoods.
  • no likes
Profile of Sharon Shamin
Posted by:Sharon Shamin
2 years ago
Definitely need. Too many water main breaks. This interferes with daily living, businesses, schools, etc.
  • no likes
Profile of nick clement
Posted by:nick clement
2 years ago
Spending on water infrastructure benefits every citizen directly by reducing the fees on water. An increase in water fees acts as a flat tax and inordinately hurts low income and elderly fixed income residents. Fresh water is a fundamental duty of city government- supporting non-profits and giveaways to businesses, while possibly useful are not fundamental duties of city government and benefit a narrow group, not all citizens. Who decides guarantees what nonprofits would be funded? Take these out of the bill.
  • 1 like
Profile of Mitchell Easter
Posted by:Mitchell Easter
2 years ago
This should not require special funding to fix the problems described. Money should already be earmarked and fully funded in a comprehensive infrastructure plan that our taxes go toward. This idea is indeed a great one and a must, but we should not take one-off monies to pay for it. Then what? In another 100 years bank on Rams Settlement Version 2.0 for the next centennial upgrade?
  • 1 like
Profile of Glennon Hausler Sr
Posted by:Glennon Hausler Sr
2 years ago
Upgrad water infrastructure.
  • 1 like
Profile of Dorothy Dempsey
Posted by:Dorothy Dempsey
2 years ago
Dorothy Dempsey We are in the crossfire of a new president. His project 25 is does not have people of color nor Trumps followers in mind. Many men of color did not vote for Vice-President Kamala Harris. There are women and young people that did not vote for her. Trump is already promoting all the people that are just like him. Greedy and seeking gain. Walmart and many companies have decided to opt out of their diversity programs. Everything we have gained over the years will be wiped out. Nothing in the poor neighborhoods will be repaired. We have already experienced the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be nothing compared to the Trump pandemic. Just think about it. A highly qualified female, Vice-President Kamala Harris was denied access to the presidency compared to a Rapist, Thief, and a Crook. With men still living in the past, always thinking of women being unqualified. The Rams settlement will be like a dish rag in dirty water, the more you wring it the dirt will not wring out. Trump will be stealing all assets. Where is his Vice-President Vance? It seems that Elon Musk is the more visible sidekick. He has moved into Trumps castle Mar -a -Lago. A man that grew up in Africa but yet has no empathy for people of color. It makes you wonder about how much he despised his circumstance. There is always one that has the heart to turn bad into good. Elon Musk chose a different path to follow. The riches and gains will not gain the paradise he seeks. He can loose all in the wink of an eye, and he sure can't take it with him. Look out all you big time "Decision-Makers" See how fast anything gets done in St. Louis City. And please don't forget The Ram's funds. Happy Holiday Season to everyone. "God's Blessings Always"
  • no likes
Profile of Mitchell Easter
Posted by:Mitchell Easter
2 years ago
@Dorothy Dempsey Maybe St Louis City needs to consider how its populace continues to vote, against its own self- and better interests. People leave here and don’t move here, as a result of the decisions our elected officials make in this city. People voted for Trump because they’ve been effed over too many times and a savior complex person played the system. I suggest we not forget how history tends to repeat itself once the generations of the past memories’ become lost to history. #BernieWasRightAllAlong
  • no likes
Profile of Glenn Eckert
Posted by:Glenn Eckert
2 years ago
New water mains benefit all residents and visitors - money well spent!
  • 2 likes
This comment has been deleted.
Profile of Elaine Laura
Posted by:Elaine Laura
2 years ago
@Andrew Smreker I think your thoughtful comments have informed and enlarged our community. As we embrace the upcoming local election period perhaps we can bring this 19th Century practice, flat rate billing, to the debate floor. By your exchanges the public is becoming more aware of inequities in planning, and failure to meet Industry Standards. This is our time.
  • no likes
Profile of Andrew Smreker
Posted by:Andrew Smreker
2 years ago
@Elaine Laura Thank you Ms. Laura. I was very enlightened by your testimony as well. I very much appreciate the case you have made against the flat rate billing. Thanks to your encouragement, I will remain positive. This has been a long road, and we are not done yet, but the fight is worth fighting. Bless you ma'am for the effort you put forth.
  • no likes

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Profile of Board of AldermenBoard of Aldermen on January 4, 2024

Current status

under consideration

Tags

Upgrading Water Infrastructure