In northern rural Missouri, 10 counties have faced a continued challenge: safe, affordable drinking water. But that’s about to change.

Thanks in part to Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program (WEP), these 10 counties will no longer wonder if their water will continue flowing from their taps.

“This area of North Central Missouri is the most drought-stricken area in the state of Missouri,” said Brad Scott. “The water is there, but scatter across little 100-acre lakes throughout the 10 counties. When we’re in a drought, the problems set in really quick.”

Brad is the General Manager of the North Central Missouri Rural Water Commission (NCMRWC.)

Evaluation of the project has been ongoing since the late 1980s. It’s no small feat to address drinking water affecting such a large area. 

“It’s not as simple as digging wells around the area because the aquifer is very briny and untreatable,” said Brad. “We need to build a reservoir and dam, an intake system, water lines, while at the same time we need to relocate utilities, install a 17-mile sewer line, and so much more.”

To be certain the new reservoir remains a viable source of quality drinking water, the Commission received zoning rights to the entire surrounding watershed. By maintaining a large area around the reservoir, the Commission can control any contaminates that might otherwise threaten the supply.

Brad and Craig Davis, NCMRWC’s General Council, both agree that, while this project wouldn’t have been impossible without the aid of the USDA Rural Development loans and grants, having the federal partners involved has made many of the goals attainable.

“Applying for federal dollars brings its own set of challenges,” Brad said. “But the staff made sure we knew what needed to be done, how we needed to document the goals and parameters of the project to attain that funding.” Craig added, “The Rural Development staff have been incredible to work with. Clark, David, Shawna, Kyle, and all the predecessors. This project wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for all the Rural Development staff that have been a part of it since the very beginning, and they’ll be a part of it for years to come.”

Kyle Wilkens, Missouri’s State Director for Missouri, credits the Commission’s work to address any areas that will be affected by the new reservoir.

“They worked closely with local residents to be sure roads will be available to get around the new reservoir,” said Kyle. “Department of Natural Resources had to review any land that would be flooded as part of the new reservoir, and homeowners had to be willing to give up land that would be impacted.”

Brad highlighted the willingness of homeowners to help make the project possible.

“We did this all without eminent domain,” Brad said. “I want to amplify that. This is almost unheard of. It took massive collaboration between residents and state and federal government agencies. It goes to show how important this is to everyone involved.”

Kyle is quick to point out that his Rural Development staff have remained diligent and committed to seeing this project become a reality.

“The Missouri Rural Development staff have worked hard to navigate through the issues and worked closely with local and state agencies to keep this moving forward,” said Kyle. “I can’t take all the credit for this. The work has continued for years before this, and my State Director predecessors have all been involved. Now that the funding has been approved, we are staying committed, assigning one of our staff to see this project through in perpetuity. This project will succeed because of the commitment by the team in rural Missouri.”

But it goes beyond the federal partnerships and financial support. The state, counties and rural residents came together to make this possible. A ballot measure proposing a half-cent retail sales tax was passed with 82 percent of voters supporting the new tax.

“We were doing everything we could to show we had skin in the game,” said Craig. “And the residents knew this was just part of what needed to be done. This is just one of the many achievements that has helped make this project possible.”

The project is expected to take years to complete. Initially, the Commission will build the reservoir and dam, an intake facility, and begin laying the connections for the first of 10 counties. In all, the project is set to deliver more than 7 million gallons of fresh drinking water to 68,000 rural residents across Adair, Chariton, Grundy, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Putnam, Schuyler, and Sullivan counties.

NCMRWC has received USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Program loans and grants totaling $53,771,554.