On December 21, 2020 the Cape Girardeau City Council authorized execution of an addendum to the Alliance Water Resources (AWR) contract to include subcontracted services for routine preventative maintenance and non-routine improvements of nine water tanks. The agreement began January 1, 2021 and extends through December 31, 2032. That’s a 12-year contract .
The Cape Girardeau water system was purchased by the City from Union Electric Company in 1992. The sale was closed on June 2nd and at 12:01 a.m., June 3rd, AWR (then M.M.E.I.), assumed operation of the system. The system was purchased through passage of a revenue bond issue of $11,840,000, approved by voters on November 5, 1991, by a 77.2% positive.
There have been many addenda and scope of work revisions since 1992 but today’s language includes:
- O&M of the City’s drinking water infrastructure
- Two water treatment plants
- Four alluvial wells
- Eight pumping stations
- 390 miles of water main
- 18,000 water meters
- Geographic Information System (GIS) services for all City departments
- Utility locates services (1-800-DIG-RITE) for all City-owned utilities
AWR is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri and has over 30 contracts across the mid-west. In addition to water and wastewater management, AWR also offers services for full public works, utility billing, and project management – the contract tends to be tailored to the specific needs of the client.
In Cape Girardeau, Alliance employs 32 people; 16 of which maintain drinking water certifications through MoDNR and eight of them are 20+ year employees. We may not wear City of Cape Girardeau shirts but we are committed to improving efficiencies and providing top-notch service for the citizens of Cape Girardeau.