Malden’s ongoing sewage issue unresolved as a new sewer district board forms

MALDEN, Mo. — A sewage backup that began in September is still causing problems for residents of Malden, with no official resolution in sight. The issue has left sewage overflowing in some yards, and several bills remain unpaid months later.

In September, residents witnessed sewage spilling into their yards, and months later, the situation remains unresolved. Malden Mayor Denton Kooyman and the city are responsible for addressing the issue after the previous sewer board resigned. Now, the Dunklin County Sewer District is in the process of forming a new board and securing funding to replace equipment and restore proper operation.

“We were given receivership through the courts because the former board quit,” Kooyman said. “There’s an investigation into money laundering and other issues. We’ve been running it for a couple of years now. Some people say we’ve done a good job, and some people don’t like the way we’ve handled things. It’s just part of life.”

Despite efforts to manage the situation, Malden officials face a financial challenge. Kooyman mentioned that several residents are behind on their bills, with at least 100 customers over 30 days past due.

A change is expected in May when the new Dunklin County Sewer District Board takes over. Kooyman explained that the new board was formed with assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Agency, which has provided training and guidance.

“The board met, and we introduced how the board works,” Kooyman said. “Luckily, USDA showed up and offered training to help us get on our feet. The new board will be run by Douglas County, and they will be the Dunklin County Sewer District Board.”

The transition is not without its challenges. The new board members must meet specific requirements, such as being customers who pay their bills and live within the district. Some people who have expressed interest in joining the board do not meet these criteria, as they are not legally connected to the system.

Currently, the USDA is working on securing a maintenance person for the district to begin training and familiarize themselves with the new machinery.