August 19th, 2026 Local News
Leadwood, Mo. (KFMO) - Leadwood’s wastewater treatment facility is beginning to show signs of improvement, but Missouri officials say E. coli levels in the Big River remain elevated and the facility is still unable to effectively treat the city’s wastewater.
According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, recent sampling at locations upstream, at the facility’s outfall and downstream shows E. coli levels are slightly improving.
On August 10, DNR collected another round of samples as part of its ongoing weekly monitoring of the Big River. Preliminary results from the facility’s outfall showed E. coli levels of 1,732.9 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters, or CFU/100mL. That is down from a previous reading of more than 2,419.6 CFU/100mL.
Samples collected at other locations showed E. coli levels of 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.
Despite the improvement, DNR says the levels remain high and the treatment facility is still not effectively treating the wastewater being released into the Big River.
Until the plant’s treatment capacity improves and it begins meeting its permitted effluent limits, DNR is urging people to follow public health advisory signs posted at access points along the Big River from the Leadwood Access to Owl Creek Park in St. Francois County.
The signs advise people to avoid water contact, including swimming and wading, and to keep pets and livestock away from the affected section of the river.
DNR also cautions that E. coli levels in natural waterways can change significantly over time. Levels typically increase following rainfall and decrease during periods of dry weather, meaning people should always use caution when playing in or around lakes and streams.
Leadwood is working on repairs intended to improve the treatment plant’s operation.
The city is installing a replacement pump designed to move sludge and solids from the plant’s clarifier to the sludge holding basin. DNR says the new pump should allow the facility to treat wastewater more efficiently and could help further reduce E. coli levels in treated water released into the Big River.
The city is also considering additional treatment options to improve the plant’s operations.
DNR’s Financial Assistance Center is working with Leadwood to identify emergency funding opportunities through the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Community Development Block Grant program, as well as department funding that could help pay for immediate repairs.
Officials are also exploring grants and loans that could help fund long-term system upgrades and ultimately the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility.
DNR continues to make weekly visits to Leadwood to monitor the progress of repairs and 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,” DNR Director Kurt Schaefer said. “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.”
The latest update follows DNR’s August 5 announcement that the Leadwood wastewater facility was experiencing serious operational problems and releasing only partially treated wastewater into the Big River.
DNR had previously reported elevated E. coli readings both upstream and downstream of the facility and had begun an intensive sampling schedule to monitor the situation.
The city has since moved forward with repairs under an Administrative Order on Consent with DNR, while state officials, Leadwood and other partners continue working toward both immediate improvements and a permanent solution.