Department of Natural Resources awards $2.4 million to Fisk…

City will make drinking water system improvements

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, APRIL 3, 2026 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $2.4 million in financial assistance to the city of Fisk for upgrades to the city's drinking water distribution, storage and supply systems. The city expects the project to be completed by Spring 2026.

The project includes replacement of all 175 of the city's meters and equipping them with a cellular automatic meter read system, upgrades to existing treatment facilities and replacing the two existing wells with two new shallow sand wells. With these improvements, the city will be able to offer its citizens safe drinking water for years to come with a modern and well-functioning treatment system.

Project funding consists of a $1.8 million grant and a $603,000 loan, both from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The department estimates its funding will save the city's ratepayers more than $1.8 million in principal and approximately $225,000 in interest over the loan's 20-year term.

"Financial assistance packages like this really help our communities provide safe drinking water to Missourians," said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Department of Natural Resources.

The department's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund finances improvements to water treatment plants, distribution systems and water storage and supply facilities. The fund also finances system interconnection and consolidation projects. Communities that borrow from the fund benefit from the below-market interest rate and from assistance a project manager provides throughout the project.

The department is committed to assisting Missouri communities with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Through its Financial Assistance Center, the department provides funding opportunities for qualified communities with water quality, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit dnr.mo.gov/water/what-were-doing/state-revolving-fund-srf.