Our Organization

Overview

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District was created on February 9, 1954 when voters approved a plan to combine 79 regional sewer districts into one city-wide system for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater. For more information on the organization, follow the links below.

Our mission is to protect the public’s health, safety, and water environment by responsibly providing wastewater and stormwater management. Visit our Mission, Vision, Values page to learn more about what we believe.

With more than 9,600 miles of sewer lines, St. Louis is home to the country’s fourth largest sewer system—and one of the oldest. While MSD has been proudly serving the St. Louis region for more than 65 years, the history of our sewer infrastructure goes back far longer.

The Charter Plan of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) is a blueprint for how MSD is operated. The plan was created when MSD was formed in 1954 and was amended and approved by voters in 2000 and further amended in 2012.

The Board of Trustees hires MSD’s chief executive officer, who is responsible for all MSD operations. The CEO and his employees address the day-to-day needs of all MSD customers.

The Board of Trustees hires MSD’s chief executive officer, who is responsible for all MSD operations. The CEO and his employees address the day-to-day needs of all MSD customers.

In August 2011, the Department of Justice filed a settlement, or consent decree, requiring MSD to spend a minimum $4.7 billion over the next 23 years to address the issue of overflows and other sewer system improvements. The consent decree agreement between MSD, the EPA, and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment has been accepted by the United States District Court.

The Strategic Business and Operating Plan (SBOP) is a business-focused blueprint for serving our customers now and in the future. The plan is based on five goals and six business-focused strategies.