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DNA asks cities to consider regional water

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has asked the cities of Park Hills and Desloge to consider creating a regional water system as a solution to the ongoing conflict between the two cities.

In a meeting last week, officials from the cities met with DNR staff and Director Doyle Childers to discuss the conflict. Desloge wants to separate from the Park Hills system and create its own water system. The plan has met with opposition from Park Hills as well as from some residents of Desloge.

At the April 13 meeting in Jefferson City, the DNR suggested that the cities agree to create a regional system that would be governed by an independent board. Representatives from Park Hills, Desloge and any other city that are serviced by the system would hold seats on the board, said Earl Pabst of the DNR’s division of environmental quality.

&#8220The cities agreed to consider this plan at their meetings this week,” Pabst said on Tuesday. &#8220If they don’t agree to do so, our next meeting will have the same agenda as the last one.”

Park Hills met in executive session Tuesday night, but took no vote. City Administrator John Kennedy would not say whether the council discussed the plan for a regional system.

&#8220We are standing by our agreement not to discuss this issue,” he said.

Desloge Board of Aldermen are scheduled to hold a special meeting tonight that includes a closed session.

Pabst said the DNR &#8220is interested in providing the best possible drinking water for Park Hills and Desloge,” and has committed to helping the cities come to a solution.

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