Area-Wide Management + Capital Improvement Plans

The Boone County Regional Sewer District Area-Wide Management Plan (AWMP) serves as a comprehensive framework for managing wastewater infrastructure across Boone County and was originally prepared in connection with BCRSD’s designation as a Level 2 Continuing Authority by the Missouri Clean Water Commission. BCRSD is developing an update to the AWMP to reflect more than a decade of progress in regionalizing and consolidating public and private wastewater systems into more efficient regional facilities operated by BCRSD, the City of Columbia, and other municipal partners. This move toward regionalization is a key strategy for protecting the environment , improving public health, and ensuring reliable and affordable service for customers.

The updated AWMP will be presented to the Missouri Clean Water Commission to re-affirm BCRSD and the City of Columbia’s joint status as Level 2 Continuing Authorities in Boone County. Through this authority, BCRSD collaborates with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the City of Columbia, and other municipal partners to enforce standards for wastewater services and oversee treatment facility operations. The AWMP evaluates existing public and private wastewater treatment facilities in Boone County and provides recommendations, including connection to regional infrastructure where feasible.

In connection with developing an updated AWMP, BCRSD is also developing a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) to provide a phased roadmap for the District’s infrastructure investments through the year 2045. Developed in collaboration with McClure Engineering, the proposed CIP identifies and prioritizes critical upgrades and expansions necessary to meet regulatory standards, develop and maintain infrastructure, and support economic development and growth in Boone County.  The proposed CIP contemplates more than  $71 million in investments over three phases to  ensure reliable and affordable service over the next 20 years and beyond..

The proposed CIP is structured around five key improvement categories: regulatory compliance, infrastructure renewal, capacity expansion, collection system improvements, and operational enhancements. Regulatory compliance projects are prioritized, particularly in light of new effluent limits for ammonia and E. coli affecting the majority of BCRSD’s active wastewater treatment facilities and compliance deadlines for environmental permits.  Capacity expansion projects are also planned in areas targeted for economic development and population growth.

In addition to treatment capacity and compliance projects, the CIP includes modernization projects to improve operational efficiency, reduce service disruptions, and extend the lifespan of critical assets. The CIP  provides financial transparency and a foundation for future rate studies and bond planning. The CIP represents a proactive and fiscally responsible commitment to the community’s wastewater infrastructure.

Together, the AWMP and CIP form a unified strategic vision for the Boone County Regional Sewer District—linking policy authority and infrastructure planning into a coordinated system. While the AWMP establishes the “what” and “why”—defining service expectations, regulatory oversight, and facility consolidation—the CIP addresses the “how” and “when,” detailing the projects, costs, and timelines needed to meet those goals. The AWMP ensures that BCRSD has the authority and planning clarity to provide leadership in regional wastewater management, while the CIP provides the blueprint to implement that vision.

For our customers, this integrated planning means high quality but affordable service , and stronger environmental stewardship. As Boone County continues to grow, the planning effort reflected in these documents ensure that infrastructure keeps pace by balancing water quality with affordability. Ultimately, these plans demonstrate BCRSD’s commitment to being not just a service provider, but a steward of the community’s future. Through disciplined planning, regional collaboration, and responsible investment, BCRSD is well-positioned to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands.

On September 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM, in the Community Room at Boone Electric Cooperative, 1413 Rangeline Street, Columbia, MO 65201, BCRSD will hold a public hearing to receive input from the public from the public on the proposed updated AWMP and proposed CIP. The public hearing also serves to meet Level 2 Continuing Authority guidelines as stipulated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Clean Water Commission.