Leadwood wastewater facility makes progress toward repairing failing system: MoDNR
E. coli levels still high in Big River near facility
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, AUG. 14, 2026 – According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Leadwood’s wastewater facility is beginning to make progress toward repairing its failing treatment system. Recent sampling in the Big River upstream, at the facility’s outfall and downstream, show E. coli levels are slightly improving. However, those levels are still high, indicating the facility is still unable to effectively treat the city’s wastewater.
On Aug. 10, MoDNR continued its water sampling schedule in the Big River. Preliminary results from samples collected at the facility’s outfall show E. coli levels at 1,732.9 colony forming units per 100 milliliters (CFU/100mL), down from >2,419.6. Sample results from other locations show E. coli at the time was 150.0 CFU/100mL at the Mounts Big River Access, 73.8 CFU/100mL at the Hunt Street Leadwood Access and 80.1 CFU/100mL at the Bone Hole Swimming Basin.
Until the treatment plant’s capacity improves and starts attaining permitted effluent limits, people should heed the public health advisory signs posted at access points on the Big River from the Leadwood Access to Owl Creek Park in St. Francois County. The signs advise people to avoid water contact (swimming, wading, etc.) and to keep pets and livestock away from the water in that section of the Big River.
The department emphasizes that E. coli levels in natural water bodies can fluctuate dramatically over time, typically increasing after it has rained and decreasing when the weather is dry. Because of this phenomenon, people should always be careful when playing in and around lakes and streams.
In a concerted effort to address the facility’s failing treatment equipment, the city is installing a replacement pump to move sludge and solids from the plant’s clarifier to the sludge holding basin. Adding the new pump is designed to allow the plant to begin treating the wastewater more efficiently, which should help further reduce E. coli levels in the treated water the plant releases to the Big River. The city is also considering additional treatment options to further improve plant operations.
To find more permanent solutions, the department’s Financial Assistance Center is working with the city to help identify emergency funds through the Department of Economic Development’s Community Development Block Grant along with funds from the department for immediate repairs. The department is also working with the city on funding opportunities for long-term system upgrades with grants and loans to ultimately build a new treatment facility.
In the meantime, the department continues to make weekly site visits to monitor progress and to collect water quality samples.
“The department continues to work with the city and other partners to find both short-term and long-term solutions to Leadwood’s wastewater treatment challenges, said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Department of Natural Resources. “We anticipate seeing improvements in the facility’s operations, reflected in better sampling results in the Big River. This issue has developed over time, so it will take time to find and implement lasting solutions.”
For background about this issue, see the previous department news release at: https://dnr.mo.gov/communications/news/department-natural-resources-takes-action-address-failing-leadwood-wastewater-treatment-facility.
More information about the Leadwood wastewater treatment facility is available at dnr.mo.gov/water/business-industry-other-entities/sites-interest/leadwood-wastewater-treatment-facility.
General guidance on recreational water safety is also available from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at: Recreational Water Safety.
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