In 2025 Missouri American Water raised rates by 25%,  joining the other two major utility companies in St. Louis County that implemented rate increases. The utilities are now seeking review by the Missouri Public Service Commission (M PSC) of new additional rate increases. In 2025 automatic standard rate increases for inflation and fuel costs were also implemented.  

The Environmental Quality and Climate Committee (EQC2) sked the LWV Metro STL Board to submit comments on these new rate increases and has permission to encourage our members to take independent action.  

League of Women Voters of Metro STL (LWV Metro STL) and  its EQC2 has a long history of opposing rate increases by Ameren, Spire, and American Water using League positions that protect air, land, and water resources. While engaging in independent action members may cite detailed League study and strong League Natural Resource Positions: “the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems.  Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled to preserve the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health. The LWV has worked for effective regulatory programs. LWV program, policy and positions support action to slow the rate of climate change, to counter environmental justice concerns, to oppose rate changes and encourages conservation of water resource. The League supports rate setting policies for utilities with assistance for low-income individuals when energy policies bear unduly on the poor. Social policy, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) supports secured equal rights and opportunity for all and to promote social and economic justice for the health and safety of all Americans. 

CALL TO ACTION: SUBMIT COMMENTS OPPOSING Missouri American Water Rate Increase (WR-2026-0304)

The Missouri American Water Company (MAWC) will have the first public hearings in early December. Ameren Missouri public hearings will be at the end of January; watch for additional information.  

We urge League members to submit their own individual written comments to the Missouri Public Service Commission before January 20, 2025, in opposition of the rate hike for Missouri American Water. When submitting comments, please reference File No. WR-2026-0304

1. Mail comments to:

Missouri Public Service Commission
Governor Office Building
Attn: Consumer Services Unit
200 Madison Street, P.O. Box 360
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0360

2. Email comments to pscinfo [at] psc.mo.gov

3. File comments electronically using the Commission’s electronic filing system

4. Participate in a Hearing

Public Hearing:
The Saint Louis County Hearing is December 3 at University of Missouri St. Louis, Millennium Student Center, Century Room C, 17 Arnold B. Grobman Drive, St. Louis, Missouri. The hearing starts at 6:00 p.m, beginning with a public information/question-and-answer session followed by the Commission receiving testimony from the public.

Virtual hearings:

THE PROPOSAL UNDER REVIEW

The requested Missouri American Water Company rate increase filed July 1, 2026 includes:

• Increase: $191.9 million in annual base rate revenues.

• Driver: Roughly $1.6 billion in completed or planned infrastructure investments from June 2025 to May 2028 (including 140 miles of pipe replacements and plant upgrades) 

• Estimated Impact on Monthly Bills.  If approved as requested, monthly residential impacts vary by region: In St. Louis County: An estimated increase of about $23 per month (based on an average usage of 5,900 gallons). Outside St. Louis County (e.g., Southwest Missouri/Joplin areas): An estimated increase of about $15 per month (based on an average usage of 4,500 gallons). 

The new rates will likely not take effect until mid-2027 (around June 2027). 

SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS FOR MEMBERS

• American Water had a significant rate increase at the end of 2024 (>>35% rate increase).  
• The rate increases unfairly increased the utility burden for people who are the most vulnerable: the low-income, fixed-income, and minority communities. Urge the MPSC to consider the increased financial burden when deciding the rate increase; perhaps consider a modified rate for those individuals with greater financial burden.
• MAWC profits have seen increased earnings. 
• MAWC must improve its public outreach regarding water conservation and assistance programs that can help its lower-income customers.
• MAWC must work to control its costs, seek alternative financing for the major upgrades, and become more efficient. 
• MAWC must review timing of projects to reduce the need for this rate increase.  
• Utility rates for the St. Louis Region continue to be increased. All rates have had automatic increases for the cost of fuels and inflation. Both Ameren MO and Missouri American Water Company have also filed significant rate increases. These rate increases combined will impact the minority, low-income, fixed-income, and elderly households of St. Louis City and County.  
• MAWC must seek alternative funding, work efficiently, and time projects to reduce the rate increase and reduce the financial burden on its customers who have been impacted by previous rate increases and inflation. 
• We would urge the MPSC to work with MAWC to modify the rate to reduce the financial burden on those with limited and fixed income.

Questions, please email Mickey Croyle, Chair of Environmental Quality and Climate Committee, mickeycroyle [at] gmail.com ().The Environmental Quality and Climate Change Committee (EQC2) will next meet on February 1, 2027.

Environmental Tip for November:
As the US Environmental Protection Agency continues to cut back on regulations that protect our environment and climate it is important that we act locally. Please submit comments opposing the Missouri American Water Company's new rate hike using the talking points from this article (November 2026 EQC2 Voter Article).