Jul. 4—Missouri American has asked the Missouri Public Service Commission for a rate increase that, if approved in full, would raise the water bill for the average Joplin residential customer by between $16.10 and $17.29 per month, depending on usage.
That average customer is defined as someone using 4,000 to 5,000 gallons per month.
Those wishing to intervene in the recent rate case must do so by July 19.
On July 1, Missouri American, which provides water to one in four Missourians in the state, including Joplin, filed the rate case with the PSC to increase current annual water and sewer revenues by about $166.6 million — an increase of 34.4%, according to the utility.
In a statement, Missouri American said the rate case reflects $1.5 billion in investments it has either completed or has planned in its water and wastewater systems from January 2023 to May 2026.
“We carefully plan investments in our water and wastewater systems to provide safe, clean and reliable service to nearly 1.6 million Missourians in more than 90 counties throughout the state,” Rich Svindland, president of Missouri American, said in a statement. “These prudent, ongoing investments show our commitment to protecting public health and safety in the communities we serve.”
These investments include upgrading infrastructure, complying with state and federal water regulations, increasing fire protection, improving service reliability and replacing more than 250 miles of aging water and wastewater pipe to help reduce main breaks and sewer overflows.
Key projects include:
—Joplin: construction of a new carbon feed system at the treatment plant and well site treatment upgrades. The carbon feed system helps approve the aesthetic quality of the water, controlling taste and odor issues. About 85% of Joplin’s drinking water comes from Shoal Creek, and the remaining 15% comes from wells.
—St. Louis County: replacement of the intake pump station at a water treatment plant.
—St. Charles County: construction of new transmission main to add a second source of water supply.
—Jefferson City: construction of a new filter building at the water treatment plant.
—St. Joseph: upgrades at a water treatment plant and booster stations.
—Eureka and Smithton: wastewater treatment plant upgrades including construction of new lift station and ultraviolet disinfection.
As part of a rate case, which typically takes about 11 months, the PSC holds public hearings allowing residents to speak.
The company’s last general rate case was finalized in May 2023. According to the PSC, a residential customer in Joplin using 5,400 gallons of water a month at that time saw rates go up by $8.70.
The company had previously said that rate case reflected the replacement or installation of 280 miles of water and wastewater pipelines, upgrading of treatment plants, storage tanks, wells, pumping and lift stations, fire hydrants and meters. Among those projects was the replacement of the high-service pump station building and its pumps in Joplin.
The filing also includes a proposed income-based rate for customers facing financial hardship. If approved, residential customers below 150% of the federal poverty level would be eligible for a discounted rate. Missouri American also offers assistance through its H2O Help to Others program, payment plans and budget billing.
Applications to intervene must be filed with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or by using the commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System at psc.mo.gov.
Individual residents wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel at Governor Office Building, 200 Madison St., Suite 650, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, MO 65102-2230; 866-922-2959; or at opcservice@opc.mo.gov.
They also can contact PSC Staff, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102; 800-392-4211; or at pscinfo@psc.mo.gov.
Missouri American provides water service to approximately 484,000 households and businesses in Missouri. It also provides sewer service to approximately 24,000 customers in the state. Wastewater customers could see a monthly decrease or increase depending on the customer’s service area. Missouri American does not provide wastewater services in Joplin.
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