Festus and Crystal City have sold their sewer systems to the Jefferson County Public Sewer District for a combined $5 million.
“Both cities have successfully transferred the control and upkeep of their sewer systems to the Jefferson County Public Sewer District,” according to a Feb. 16 joint statement from the cities and the county Public Sewer District.
The transfer was effective as of Feb. 15, the statement said.
The sale included the wastewater treatment plant on County Road in Crystal City that Festus and Crystal City shared, as well as other sewer infrastructure the two cities previously owned and operated.
The Crystal City and the Festus city councils each agreed in January to enter into deals to sell their sewer systems, and the sales closed earlier this month.
Crystal City Mayor Mike Osher said most customers, depending on their usage, should save some money on their sewer bills now that the county Sewer District has taken over the systems.
For both cities, the base sewer rate for 2024 is now $4.77 for the first 1,000 gallons of water used and an extra $3.51 for every 1,000 gallons of additional water used. In 2025, the base sewer rate will increase to $4.91 for the first 1,000 gallons of water used and $3.62 more for every 1,000 gallons of additional water used.
The Festus sewer rate had been $7.40 for the first 1,000 gallons and $4.60 extra per 1,000 additional gallons. The Crystal City sewer usage rate had started at $2.06 for the first 1,000 gallons and an extra $4.98 per every 1,000 gallons of additional water used.
Those using larger water pipes, typically businesses, pay more for their sewer fees based on their water meter size.
Customers will pay the sewer bills to the county Public Sewer District either online or by mail.
Osher said Festus and Crystal City will divide the $5 million payment from the county Sewer District in the following manner: the first $1 million was to be divided equally, with each city receiving $500,000; the remaining $4 million is to be paid at a rate of $400,000 per year for 10 years, with Crystal City to receive $150,000 of that amount annually and Festus receiving $250,000 every year.
Each city received its initial $500,000 at closing, Crystal City Administrator Jason Eisenbeis said.
“We are excited about the new affiliation with the Jefferson County Sewer District,” Osher said. “As Crystal City continues to expand and acquire new industries, JCPSD will be able to meet those demands with our wastewater. They have a proven track record of keeping rates reasonable, providing excellent service to their customers, while setting an industry standard of exceeding all state regulations.”
Festus Mayor Sam Richards agreed.
“I am excited about the relationship that has been forged with this agreement between the city of Festus and the Jefferson County Public Sewer District,” Richards said. “The future of this city is enhanced because of this new partnership. The city will be able to make easier decisions to provide services to newly annexed areas as we continue to expand the city limits.”
Festus City Councilman Mike Cook, the only member of either board to vote no on the sale, said he wanted a guarantee that someone from the Twin Cities would always be on the county Public Sewer District board.
“I voted no because I wanted permanent representation of Festus-Crystal City on their (the Jefferson County Public Sewer District) board, because now we’re their largest customer,” Cook said. “That did not happen. They did put a Festus person on their board, Bob McWilliams, but did not make it permanent for a Festus or Crystal City resident to be on their board. That’s my main reason for voting against selling the sewer system.”
Cook said no jobs were lost because of the sale.
Public debate on the possible sewer system sale began in June 2023 during Crystal City Council and Festus City Council meetings and during meetings of the Jefferson County Public Sewer District and the Jefferson County Council.
During the negotiations, some private wastewater treatment companies had representatives at the city meetings who said they could pay more than the Jefferson County Public Sewer District’s $5 million offer. Leaders of both cities, however, said they preferred to sell the systems to the county Public Sewer District because they feared private companies would raise sewer rates.