Missouri Commission Approves New Water Quality Rules

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday (Nov. 7) that the water quality standards assign limits for pollutants discharged into an additional 90,000 miles of rivers and streams and 2,100 lakes. It will require expensive upgrades for many small sewage treatment facilities throughout the state.

The revised standards require formal approval from the Environmental Protection Agency. They are expected to take effect next year. Missouri was warned 13 years ago by the EPA that its water quality standards required upgrading.