Posted: Tuesday, 27 October 2009 5:51AM

Costly sewer spill plans include rate hike for homeowners

Michael Calhoun Reporting
mrcalhoun@cbs.com

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) -- The Metropolitan Sewer District is planning a $6 billion infrastructure upgrade to stop the spillage of raw sewage into area waterways, and its customers around the St. Louis region will foot most of the bill.

"When you look from state and federal government, there is very little money," according to MSD spokesman Lance LeComb. "It's a trickle, pardon the pun, that's been set aside for water quality improvements like what we're doing."

MSD estimates more than 10 million gallons of untreated waste water is spilling into the Mississippi River and the River des Peres. Fixing the problem starts with repairing or replacing pipes that can be more than 100 years old.

Part of the upgrades are mandated by the Enviornmental Protection Agency -- but LeComb says angry homeowners who've experience sewer overflows have also had a hand.

"There's going to be, obviously, billions of dollars in infrastructure investment, there's going to be widespread adoption of green practices, green techniques such as rain barrels and the like and there's going to be a very vigorous outreach effort," he explains.

LeComb says the $6 billion improvement program will upgrade the system, fix the flaws, and encourage people to "go green."

"It's going to be up to each and every one of us as responsible citizens to start adopting practices such as green roofs, using rain barrels," LeComb explained. "Even something as simple as cleaning up pet waste can make a difference."

MSD has put together a website explaining its sewer improvement plans, including a schedule of upcoming public hearings and tips to reduce waste water problems on your property.

Related Link:
http://www.cleanriversstl.com/

Upcoming Public Hearings:

Tuesday, October 27

Maryland Heights Community Center

2344 McKelvey Rd., Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Wednesday, October 28

Walbridge Elementary School Cafeteria

5000 Davison Ave., St. Louis, MO 63120

Monday, November 2

Jennings Senior H.S. Cafeteria

8850 Cozens, St. Louis, MO 63136

Wednesday, November 4

Chesterfield City Hall