Missouri American Water Announces Acquisition of Rogue Creek Water and Wastewater Systems

Business Wire 20-Dec-2018 9:35 AM

Missouri American Water completed its acquisition of the Rogue Creek water and wastewater systems on December 14, adding approximately 85 new water and wastewater customers to its more than 460,000 statewide customers.

Customers in Rogue Creek, a mostly a recreational community with higher summer water usage due to its large number of summer residents, is located southwest of St. Louis, about 10 miles north of Potosi. Customers there have long faced problems with their drinking water. The water system has battled elevated lead levels since 1994, with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) mandating well water in the region undergo lead removal. In the early 2000s, a treatment system and water softening system were installed to help clean the water. From 2007 until 2017, the system was in receivership; however, the system still experienced elevated lead levels and was under a do-not-drink order from March 2016 through May 2017.

The acquisition is the result of collaborative work between Missouri American Water, the DNR and Roque Creek residents working together to make improvements to the troubled system. In addition, with its science and water intelligence resources, the company will be able to better monitor and test water quality on a consistent basis compared to past ownership.

"We have been working with DNR and the residents of Rogue Creek to operate the system since March 2017, prior to the acquisition, and we've been working hard on making improvements to the system during that time," said Brian Eisenloeffel, operations manager for Missouri American Water's East Central district, which Rogue Creek will be joining. "We are proud of the work we've already done to improve the water quality in Rogue Creek, and we look forward to continued collaboration with residents and the DNR to make sure we provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable water services."

Missouri American Water's new Rogue Creek customers should receive their first invoice from the company in mid-January. Customer water rates will fall under the same tariff as customers outside St. Louis County. Wastewater rates will be the Missouri American Water current flat monthly tariff rate.

Missouri American Water

Missouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE:AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in 45 states and Ontario, Canada. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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