The Department of Justice and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said MSD will eliminate illegal overflows of untreated raw sewage, including basement backups and to reduce pollution levels in urban rivers and streams.
The settlement agreement, signed between the US, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment Foundation and MSD, requires MSD to install a variety of pollution controls, including the construction of three storage tunnels and to expand capacity at two treatment plants.
The settlement also require MSD to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to eliminate nearly 200 illegal discharge points within its sanitary sewer system.
EPA said the pollution controls implemented by MSD will result in the reduction of about 13 billion gallons per year of overflows into nearby streams and rivers.
MSD, in partnership with the city of St Louis economic redevelopment authorities, will transform vacant properties to productive use, helping to revitalize disadvantaged communities and resulting in cleaner air and green space.
MSD has also agreed to spend $230m in a mitigation program to alleviate flooding and another $30m in an enhanced pipe lining program.
In addition, MSD will spend $1.6m on a supplemental environmental project to implement a voluntary sewer connection and septic tank closure program and it will pay a civil penalty of $1.2m to the US.
