Illinois American Water has completed its $8.4 million acquisition of the Metro East Sanitary District (MESD) wastewater system, which includes the Eagle Park and Lansdowne facilities. This acquisition adds approximately 5,600 customers in the Metro East area, near St. Louis, to the company’s service area.
“We appreciate the trust MESD has placed in us,” said Illinois American Water President Rebecca Losli. “Our company has been serving the Metro East for over 125 years, and we’re committed to investing in the region’s infrastructure. With our resources and expertise, we aim to support the community’s water and wastewater needs well into the future.”
In recent years, Illinois American Water has acquired wastewater systems in several nearby communities, including Alton, Granite City, Godfrey, Grafton, Jerseyville, and Shiloh. Now, Illinois American Water plans to make significant investments in the MESD system over the next five years. Planned upgrades include operational enhancements at the Lansdowne and Venice pumping stations, improvements to various lift stations, and extensive cleaning and inspection of sewer infrastructure.
“These improvements are essential for maintaining reliable wastewater services and meeting regulatory standards,” Losli added. “Our strategic capital investments are focused on serving our customers’ best interests.”
The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the Asset Purchase Agreement on November 7, 2024. As a result, most MESD customers, who already receive water service from Illinois American Water, will now see combined bills for water and wastewater services beginning with the November-December 2024 billing cycle. Customers who only receive wastewater service will receive a separate bill starting at the same time.
