Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

CHAMOIS—The city of Chamois is nearing completion on upgrades to its wastewater treatment facility and sanitary sewer system. The project, which began construction in October of 2017, included the addition of an ultraviolet disinfection system to bring the discharge from the wastewater treatment facility up to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requirements. The project also removed accumulated sludge from the existing lagoons, stabilized the interior berm slopes of the lagoon and moved the discharge from the treatment facility to the edge of the Missouri River. Some of the sewer lines had their interiors lined with plastic to increase their useful life, as well.

“The new, larger pipes allow for better flow,” Chamois Mayor Elise Brochu said. “They replace the old clay tile, which will keep them from backing up into homes and basements during heavy rains. Our new state-of-the-art UV treatment system kills E. Coli and other harmful bacteria which reduces our impact on the environment. I believe ours is only the fifth system of its kind in the state, and we’re really very lucky to have it. Most of our residents probably don’t notice a difference, but with sewer systems, not noticing it is exactly what you hope for.”

The total cost of the project was approximately $1.9 million dollars. CDBG funds paid $460,258 in construction and administration of the project. A Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant provided $1,064,066, and a DNR loan covered the rest of the project costs, including construction, engineering design and other professional services. Engineering services were provided by Archer-Elgin Engineering of Rolla, and the main contractor for the project was Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance of Belle. Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) prepared the CDBG grant application for the city and provided the grant administration for the project, working closely with Chamois City Clerk Dorcas Ruff.

MRPC provides professional CDBG grant writing and administration services to its member governments.

The CDBG program is a flexible program that provides communities with the necessary resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Missouri Department of Economic Development handles Missouri’s allocation of CDBG funds and offers them in a competitive basis to cities, counties and other qualifying entities outside entitlement areas, that receive direct CDBG funds.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 23, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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