Sunrise Beach has been awarded nearly $4 million by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to expand its wastewater collection system, with the project's estimated completion by May 2024.
The project will significantly improve Sunrise Beach’s sewage collection system by adding a new wastewater treatment plant, and connecting the north and south collection systems, according to a MDNR press release. This will allow for overall operational efficiency and cost savings by using only one wastewater treatment plant.
By connecting area residents that are currently using private septic systems to the central treatment system, this project is expected to improve the system's operation and maintenance, and enhance environmental protection of the surrounding area.
The village's sewage woes came into the spotlight with a LakeExpo/KY3 joint investigation in 2020, which revealed a village public works employee had been deliberately pumping-out tens of thousands of gallons of untreated or only partly treated sewage onto a hillside that flowed into Lake of the Ozarks.
SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. — The Lake of the Ozarks Village of Sunrise Beach could be in hot water, …
“Strong communities make a strong state, and one of our most important jobs is to make sure every Missouri community has what it needs to thrive and remain resilient,” said Governor Mike Parson. “One of the many ways we do that is by helping our communities fund the improvements needed to keep their water and wastewater systems operating effectively.”
Project funding consists of a $1.58 million loan and a $2.38 million grant through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, as well as $190,000 in village funds. The funding provided by the department is estimated to save the village’s ratepayers nearly $2.4 million in principal and approximately $547,000 in interest over the loan’s 20 year-term.
“Grants and low-interest loans through the State Revolving Fund help Missouri communities like Sunrise Beach with water and wastewater treatment system improvements that they might not have been able to undertake otherwise,” said Dru Buntin, director of MDNR. “We are here to help Missouri communities plan and fund infrastructure improvements that will help protect public and environmental health and improve the quality of life for Missourians.”
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund finances improvements to wastewater treatment facilities, sewer collection system rehabilitation and extension projects, and combined sewer overflow corrections. It also assists with upgrades to system security, efficiency, and conservation measures. Communities that borrow from the fund benefit from the below-market interest rate and from expert assistance a department project manager provides throughout the project.
This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit MDNR here.
![[VIDEO]: Ferris Wheel Now Standing Tall At The Oasis](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lakeexpo.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/45/645bc455-286b-4556-b486-8f36b333dff4/6ab5949ebf5bf.preview.png?crop=1263%2C1263%2C0%2C60)
