The City of St. Louis’ sewer system was begun in the 1840’s and has served as a model for many other cities. At least 10% of the 8,300 miles of sewer pipe under St. Louis and St. Louis County are over one hundred years old, and the maintenance and administration of this system requires careful planning. When the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District was considering some significant changes to its charter and guiding documents, FOCUS was called upon to escort District leaders through the process.

From July 1999 to November 2000, a FOCUS citizen task force met with District officials to review pending charter changes and assess the District’s progress in implementing recommendations from a major management audit that was done earlier in 1999. FOCUS worked with the District’s Board of Trustees to ensure that good government is an essential component in the District’s operations, and provided guidance in preparing the strategic business plan that will guide MSD operations to 2005. The District won approval of several major ballot initiatives resulting from its work with FOCUS. The task force has concluded its work as MSD implemented the various changes mandated by voters. FOCUS will continue to monitor District improvements from a position on the MSD Rate Commission and serve as a citizen voice in MSD policymaking.

For more information, visit http://www.msd.st-louis.mo.us .