District will plan and design drinking water system improvements
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 27, 2026 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $223,000 interest-free loan to Camden County’s Public Water Supply District No. 5 for planning and design work related to the city’s ongoing drinking water improvement project.
Administered through the department’s Planning and Design Loan Program, these funds provide vital interim financing to cover early engineering and administrative costs while the city works with the department to secure a larger funding package for the improvement. The district expects the larger construction project to cost $3 million and will begin construction in 2028.
The early planning phases of infrastructure projects often represent a significant financial burden for cash-limited communities with water and wastewater needs. The department’s goal for the loan program is to provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive private financing, allowing qualified communities to develop and deliver vital infrastructure projects for their citizens. These planning and design loans bear no interest and come with a five-year term. The department estimates its funding will save the city’s ratepayers approximately $48,000 in interest over the loan’s five-year term.
“Investing in local water infrastructure is not just about improving drinking water systems; it’s about revitalizing communities and ensuring residents have access to abundant, safe drinking water,” said Jake Buxton, director of the Department of Natural Resources.
The department’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund finances improvements to water treatment plants, distribution systems and water storage and supply facilities. The fund also finances system interconnection and consolidation projects. Communities that borrow from the fund benefit from the below-market interest rate and from assistance a project manager provides throughout the project.
The department is committed to assisting Missouri communities with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Through its Financial Assistance Center, the department provides funding opportunities for qualified communities with water quality, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs. 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 Missouri Department of Natural Resources State Revolving Fund (SRF).