Voters have been consistent on the question of Prop W for more than 20 years. Its approval will allow MSD Project Clear to issue bonds for a portion of the work ahead in the next 4 years, which will keep rate increases much lower. MSD has $3.7 billion worth of wastewater system improvements that are required in the next 15 years, as well as other federal and State mandated projects.
Our promise to the people of the St. Louis region is that we will continue to do that in the most efficient way possible and take advantage of every opportunity to reduce the financial cost to our customers. We have made great strides in the performance and effectiveness of the St. Louis region’s public wastewater system, and this work continues.
With the passage of Prop S, MSD Project Clear will begin to address more than $700 million of known stormwater problems, mostly flooding and erosion, across St. Louis City and County. We can now take a much-needed regional approach to flooding and erosion troubles. Voter approval of Prop S will also enable us to begin a new municipal stormwater grant program which will drive many decisions on stormwater priorities to the local level.
This is the first time we have had the funding to make major stormwater improvements, and we appreciate voters’ confidence in our ability to address the region’s growing stormwater problems. We have the first five years of stormwater improvements already mapped out and plan to start on several projects beginning in 2025. We appreciate everyone in the St. Louis region who took the time to vote today, no matter how they cast their ballots.
Thank you to everyone who helped us educate our voters about these important initiatives. We look forward to continuing to work with you and strengthen our community partnerships.
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In 2012, a federal judge approved an agreement between MSD, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, to make massive improvements to the St. Louis region’s WASTEWATER system, and work began on a $7.2 billion, 28-year plan to bring the region into full compliance with the Clean Water Act. Since then, MSDPC has completed more than 650 system improvements, eliminated 85% of overflows into the environment, and reduced backups by 25%.
MSD Project Clear is now asking voters to decide how the next four years of work will be funded. Proposition W offers voters the choice between paying upfront in cash or paying with a mix of cash and bonds. Similar to taking out a loan for a home, a mix of cash and bonds spreads out costs over 20-30 years. You pay less now, but more long-term. By paying upfront, all the work must be paid for in the next four years. It costs much more now, but less overall because there are no interest payments. This is the impact on WASTEWATER rates.