In June 2024, Consumers Council of Missouri launched a three-year initiative (2024–2027) funded by Missouri Foundation for Health to assess water affordability in the City of St. Louis.
Unlike many cities across the country, St. Louis does not use individual water meters for most households. Instead, residents are billed a flat rate based on the physical attributes of their homes, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and the frontage of their lot. This approach often results in water bills that do not reflect actual usage. It also impacts sewer bills, since the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) applies the same flat-rate formula to determine sewer charges in the absence of metered water use.
Consumers Council is working with water affordability experts to analyze data obtained from the City of St. Louis and develop community-driven solutions for residents struggling to pay their water and sewer bills. At the same time, we are engaging directly with community advisory groups to both share information about water costs and hear firsthand about the challenges households face.
Our community advisory groups include Hyde Park, Lewis Place–Fountain Park, and Southside Wellness. We have also met with neighborhood associations and advocacy partners such as Vandeventer II, Missouri Coalition of the Environment, Kingsville Corp., and others who share a commitment to making water more affordable and accessible.
Funding through the grant allowed Consumers Council to add a Community Engagement and Social Media Coordinator, Antonio Weston, who is leading on-the-ground engagement and helping ensure that resident voices shape this work.
Through this initiative, Consumers Council is building the foundation for policies that ensure water affordability, fairness, and sustainability for St. Louis City residents.
