Malden takes over failing sewer district, installs new board amid infrastructure issues

MALDEN, Mo., (KBSI) – The city of Malden has taken over a troubled sewer district in Dunklin County, where residents have reported sewage backing up into their yards due to years of mismanagement and deteriorating infrastructure.

Mayor Denton Kooyman said the city assumed control of the sewer district after a court order handed it over, following alleged embezzlement by the previous administrators—a married couple who ran the system with little oversight.

“They told the court they couldn’t manage it anymore due to a lack of funds,” Kooyman said. “By Monday morning, there was a court order—it’s yours. I didn’t even get the chance to bring it to my city council.”

Kooyman said the city inherited outdated equipment, minimal records, and about $4,000 in the sewer district’s bank account. After a deeper look into the district’s operations, officials suspected financial irregularities and requested a state audit.

With little documentation and neglected maintenance, Malden officials brought in engineers who discovered aging, underground components that had not been replaced in decades. The poor upkeep, Kooyman said, is to blame for the ongoing system failures.

“We didn’t even know those parts existed,” Kooyman said. “If we didn’t know about them, they probably haven’t been replaced.”

The city has since handed control of the sewer system to a newly formed volunteer board called the Reorganized Dunklin County No. 1 Sewer District. Kooyman said the city never raised sewer rates during its oversight, but residents may see increases soon as the new board begins to replace aging parts.

Kooyman hopes the new board can work together to rebuild trust and improve the system using state funds.

“There’s about a million dollars’ worth of parts and supplies ready to be installed, hopefully starting next week,” he said. “I just hope the board stays strong. They’re volunteers trying to help, and they don’t deserve criticism every time something goes wrong.”

Kooyman said he plans to continue attending the board’s meetings and offering support as needed.

Malden officials expect additional state funding to arrive within the next two weeks to assist with the district’s overhaul.