AUGUST BALLOT - WATER PROPOSAL
Posted on 06/21/2025

Voters Decide 8/5/2025
Same Needs, SLOWER Increase

Voters will decide August 5, 2025 whether to improve water treatment and distribution while limiting annual water rate increases to 15% and only as needed (typically $4.71/month).

Water Treatment Plant Tours
Call 573-334-6747 to schedule

The City’s source water has changed since switching from river to well water over ten years ago. The water is more challenging to treat which slows the treatment process. Some City water mains are from the 1890s. Improving the distribution system will decrease main breaks and diminish the risk of boil water advisories. The City’s water needs have increased. Upgrading the Cape Rock Water Treatment Plant will allow the City to continue to produce the quantity of water required to meet the City’s needs.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is something wrong with the source water? The water has been more challenging to treat. There are naturally occurring substances that develop in our source water, which the water treatment plant routinely treats to remove. Environmental changes have slowed down the treatment process, limiting the flow through the plant.

What happens if the ballot issue does not pass? Shortages would be likely, and a quality decline would be possible. If voters decline the improvement plan and rate increase, we will still do emergency repairs. Over time, our system will become increasingly less reliable and we’ll need to consider water conservation.

How much will it cost? Significant improvements are already underway. During the next 7-8 years, the investment in plant and distribution improvements will be $56 million. Improvements expected to occur beyond 2033 exceed $64 million.

How much will my rates increase? The Charter amendment will slowly align rates with costs, without an increase over 15% in any one year (typically $4.71/month). Every year, as part of the budget process, Council votes to establish utility rates for the upcoming fiscal year.  If the Charter amendment passes, the City will be able to modify water rates annually by ordinance, via Council vote, such that the water system can be operated, maintained, and capital improvements made to insure future reliability of the system can be incurred.


   
Project Costs

  • City recently funded $9 million of critical repairs.
  • $56 million for immediate needs such as urgent plant improvements and high priority water mains.
  • $64+ million beyond 2033 for additional treatment capacity and further distribution improvements.

Rates Are Too Low for Infrastructure Grant Funding

The acceptable national standard Affordability Index (AI) for water is 1.0 percent. This means the average household using 5,000 gallons of water per month pays 1% of its income to pay the water bill. Various state and federal funding sources look at a city’s AI to determine if its residents are paying their part. The City’s current AI is 0.76, meaning our rates are too low to qualify for state or federal grants to help with our funding needs.



Aug. 5, 2025 Ballot Language

Article VI, Section 6.13 of the Charter of the City of Cape Girardeau generally prohibits the City from increasing water, sewer or solid waste collection fees by more than five (5) percent per fiscal year. Shall this general limitation be amended from five (5) percent to fifteen (15) percent, for the purpose of funding improvements and maintenance needed to deliver these services?