Missouri Public Service Commission

JEFFERSON CITY---The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved, with conditions, an application filed by Confluence Rivers Utility Operating Company, Inc. (Confluence Rivers) seeking authority to acquire and operate the North Oak Sewer District, Inc. (North Oak) sewer system. The Commission has also granted a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) to Confluence Rivers to operate the sewer system located in Warren County.

The Commission approved the application with a number of conditions. Those conditions include: 1) Confluence Rivers shall distribute to the customers in the acquired area an informational brochure detailing the rights and responsibilities of the utility and its customers consistent with the requirements of Commission rules, within 30 days of closing on the assets; 2) Confluence Rivers shall provide to the PSC’s Customer Experience Department an example of its actual communication with North Oak customers regarding its acquisition and operations of the sewer system, and how customers may reach Confluence Rivers, within 10 days after closing on the assets; 3) Confluence Rivers shall include North Oak sewer customers in its established monthly reporting to the Customer Experience Department Staff on customer service and billing issues, on an ongoing basis, after closing on the assets; 4) Confluence Rivers shall complete cleaning, vegetation removal, solid waste removal and other deferred maintenance activities within 60 days of closing on the assets; and 5) Confluence Rivers shall complete upgrades, repairs and safety improvements to the plant to ensure that the wastewater treatment facility can consistently comply with Department of Natural Resources requirements within 30 months of closing on the assets.

The Commission approved the application determining: 1) There is a need for the service; 2) Confluence Rivers is qualified to provide the proposed service; 3) Confluence Rivers has the financial ability to provide the service; 4) The proposal is economically feasible; and 5) The service promotes the public interest.

“Based on the application as amended, Staff’s Recommendation, Corrected Memorandum and proposed conditions, and Confluence Rivers’ response, the Commission concludes that the factors for granting a CCN to Confluence Rivers have been satisfied and that it is in the public interest for Confluence Rivers to provide sewer service to the customers currently served by the North Oak sewer system,” said the Commission.

Confluence Rivers proposes to adopt the existing sewer rates for North Oak until such time as the rates are modified according to law. According to the application, North Oak currently charges a single family residence $37.70 a month for sewer service.

According to the application, Confluence Rivers provides water service to approximately 5,200 customers and sewer service to approximately 5,100 customers in Missouri. North Oak provides sewer service to approximately 20 residential homes, four commercial buildings, four apartment buildings and two mobile home parks in the North Oak subdivision in Warren County.

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Case No. SM-2024-0130