en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced on July 13, 2026, that it has provided a $289 million low-interest loan to Missouri American Water Company to upgrade the St. Louis Central Water Treatment Plant in St. Louis County. This is the largest drinking water loan in the department's history and will cover the full cost of the project. The project is expected to be completed by December 2029.

Missouri American Water Company is the Missouri operating subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), providing water and wastewater services to over 1.7 million residents across 30 counties in the state. Its Central Water Treatment Plant, originally built in 1902, is the company's largest water treatment facility in the St. Louis area, serving approximately 60% of St. Louis County.

This upgrade will replace and modernize several key components of the water treatment plant, ensuring the water supply system meets current drinking water quality standards and provides reliable service for the future. Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Kurt Schaefer stated that the department will continue to fund upgrades to water and wastewater systems across the state to ensure Missouri residents have access to safe and adequate drinking water.

American Water Works Company is one of the largest water and wastewater utility companies in the United States, headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, serving 14 states with approximately 3.1 million customers. Missouri American Water Company has been increasing its investment in water infrastructure in the St. Louis area in recent years. The issuance of this $289 million loan is a landmark example of Missouri using a state-level revolving fund to support large-scale water infrastructure projects, reflecting the state's long-term commitment to ensuring drinking water safety.