CITY'S ACQUISITION OF UE'S WATER SYSTEM IS COMPLETE

Union Electric Co. and the city of Cape Girardeau Wednesday announced the completion of the city's $8.5 million purchase of the Cape Girardeau water system.

The transaction, which will be financed through revenue bonds, brings 14,000 water customers to the city operation.

In November, Cape Girardeau voters approved the city's acquisition of the water system along with the renewal of 20-year gas and electric franchises for Union Electric. The Missouri Public Service Commission approved the transaction in March.

Requests for water service should be directed to the city's customer service representatives at City Hall, 401 Independence. The phone number is 334-1332. The water service emergency phone number during non-business hours is 335-9145.

The city will itemize water charges on bills that also will include sewer and trash collection charges.

The city will manage the system and Mid-Missouri Engineering Inc. (MMEI) will contract with the city to operate the treatment plant and distribution. MMEI specializes in water and sewer operation with several water systems in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

City officials and UE representatives said the transaction benefits both city residents and the company.

For Union Electric, the sale represented a continuing focus on the utility company's growth, said William C. Shores, regional east vice president.

"Cape Girardeau's was the only water system we owned, making the sale a strategically sound move for UE," Shores said. "I should add that UE has effectively served the Cape Girardeau area for many years and looks forward to providing quality gas and electric service in the area for years to come."

Based in St. Louis, UE provides energy to more than one million customers in a 25,000-square-mile service area in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa.