Politics & Government
Report Urges Investment in Region's Wastewater Infrastructure
Report says St. Louis region's water systems beyond age of repair.
Unseen and unnoticed, huge tunnels pass deep beneath the streets of University City and much of the St. Louis area. The sewer and storm drain system are vital infrastructure to reduce flooding and remove waste from homes and businesses.
More than 100 years ago, St. Louis covered the sewage-polluted River Des Peres, in parts of U City and through Forest Park.
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District recently held an underground tour of a section of the River Des Peres wastewater tunnels in Forest Park. The tour was tied to the release of the Metro Water Infrastructure Partnership’s (MWIP) 2011 report, “Our Aging Water Infrastructure.”
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MSD officials say aging infrastructure is a national challenge, with water main breaks and sewer back ups increasing as systems age and need replacement. Utility officials say they need at least $6 billion investment to replace these aging, yet valuable assets, over the next 20 years.