HomeMy Public PortalAboutEPA - Letter To Customers 2023
Metropolitan St. Louis
Sewer District
2350 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103-2555
314-768-6200
msdprojectclear.org
March 2023
Dear MSD Customer:
Throughout the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District's (MSD) service area, there are hundreds of points
where a combination of stormwater and wastewater may discharge into local waterways from the sewer
system during moderate to heavy storms. These sewer overflow points act as relief valves when too
much stormwater enters the sewer system, and without them, our community could experience
thousands of basement backups and/or extensive street flooding. Depending on where sewer overflows
are located within MSD's system, they are classified as constructed separate sewer overflows - or
combined sewer overflows. If an overflow discharges, or not, is dependent upon a number of factors,
including how much rain falls over a given period of time. The result is that not all overflows discharge
every time it rains - in fact, some overflows will go months or years without discharging.
Per a Consent Decree between MSD, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the
Missouri Coalition for the Environment Foundation (MCE), MSD must post notification signs at
constructed separate sewer overflow points. A copy of the sign for these overflows is enclosed.
(Pursuant to regulatory requirements, signs for combined sewer overflows are also posted.)
The signs and this mailing are being done to notify the public of the existence and location of
constructed separate sewer overflows . It is requested that owners of multiple residential dwellings or
multiple commercial properties provide this information to their tenants by either posting this notice in
the common area or sending a copy directly to tenants.
The issue of overflows has been a significant focus of MSD's work for many years. For example, from
1992 to 2012 MSD spent approximately $2.7 billion to eliminate over 380 overflows . Today, our work
to address sewer overflows and improve water quality continues through the Consent Decree. This work,
also known as MSD Project Clear, calls for $4.7 billion in spending over generations. MSD Project
Clear began in 2012 and addresses our c community's wastewater collection and treatment capabilities
on a system wide basis. This program is a mammoth undertaking that will benefit St. Louisans - and our
environment - for generations to come.
For more information on sewer overflows and their locations please visit
https://msdprojectclear.org or call (314) 768-6260
Sincerely,
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD)
WA RNING
DO NOT PLAY, SWI M, OR FI SH
Possible Sewage Overflow
Exposure to Water May Cause Illness
PLEASE REPORT FOUL ODORS, UNUSUAL DISCOLORATION,
OR
FLOW FROM OUTFALL DURING DRY WEATHER.
St. Louis
Metropol itan
Sewer District
(314) 768-6260
sig " # I .
For detailed information visit: https://msdprojectclear.org