Department of Natural Resources awards $67,500 in grants to Reeds Spring…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 14, 2026 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a Drinking Water Engineering Report grants totaling $67,500 to the city of Reeds Spring ($37,500) and to Dade County ($30,000). Both communities will use the funding to evaluate their respective drinking water system.

Through its Drinking Water Engineering Report Grant program, the department offers funding to qualified communities to help with evaluating public drinking water system improvements. Reeds Spring will use its grant to identify improvements that will enable the system to continue meeting drinking water quality standards and providing reliable water service. Dade County will use its grant to potential long-term solutions to a decline in available groundwater and to study the feasibility of a county-wide drinking water distribution system.

Drinking water systems are essential infrastructure that support the health and economic vitality of a community. Through this grant, qualified communities can thoroughly assess their drinking water systems and identify improvements for better service. During the assessment, communities can determine what actions are needed to address current drinking water needs and plan for future growth and development.

"Improving our water infrastructure is essential for building safe and healthy Missouri communities," said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "I'm proud to work with our local communities to ensure every Missourian has access to safe drinking water."

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.