While there has been much wailing in these pages concerning proposed or approved rate changes by Ameren and Spire, the worst offenders are the Metropolitan Sewer District and, now, the city of St. Louis.

The Metropolitan Sewer District has increased my cost from $20 in 2003 to $108 in 2025.

Now comes Mayor Cara Spencer advising that the $14 monthly solid waste fee will remain even after its reason for creation (alley recycling) will cease. (" St. Louis ends alley recycling. Mayor says it's not working. " Aug. 14.)

The institution and addition of this tax to the water bill would have been illegal if an added service was not offered. MSD learned this years ago when it attempted to apply a charge for “impervious surface run-off.” The Missouri courts concluded that this violated law by

See Full Page