JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 4, 2019 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $78,911 in grant funding to the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments to examine the feasibility of regional wastewater treatment for the northwest Missouri communities of Skidmore, Graham and Maitland. Each community has a wastewater treatment system that needs a variety of equipment repairs, replacements and upgrades to meet treatment standards.
"Investing in these communities provides them with the proper infrastructure and necessary facilities to maintain a strong quality of life," said Carol Comer, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "It also provides environmental benefits and positive economic impacts."
Regional systems often make wastewater treatment more manageable and affordable, enhance economic development opportunities and improve water quality. This study will identify appropriate boundaries for a regional wastewater treatment service area, evaluate treatment alternatives, examine alternative regional wastewater management structures and project positive effects of improved wastewater treatment on the study area’s economy and environment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 7 has provided partial funding for this project under Section 604b of the Clean Water Act. The Department of Natural Resources will administer the grant funds. The department is committed to supporting the formation of water and wastewater system partnerships and to working closely with Missouri communities to improve water quality.
This grant is in addition to $80,776 awarded to the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission to further develop plans for the Callaway County Sewer District and $50,473 awarded to the Meramec Regional Council of Governments to conduct a wastewater partnership feasibility study.
For more information, contact the department's Water Protection Program at fac@dnr.mo.gov or
573-751-1300.