Over 15 Pevely residents came into a recent city council meeting with one issue clearly at the forefront: flooding.

From sinkholes to standing water in backyards, the city’s ongoing stormwater challenges sparked detailed discussion between engineers, city officials, and residents looking for answers and timelines.

Stormwater Projects Showing Progress, But Work Remains

City engineers from Cochran Engineering, the firm contracted by the City of Pevely to address its stormwater challenges, provided an update on multiple efforts already underway, highlighting improvements that have begun to make a difference.

Work around the Walnut Street sinkhole area has been completed and appears to be functioning effectively, even after recent heavy rainfall. Officials noted that the city expanded the detention area and improved drainage capacity, helping reduce overflow and standing water.

Additional cleanup and drainage improvements near Fort and Walnut have also increased water storage capacity and reduced immediate flooding concerns.

Next Phase: Detention Basins and Channel Improvements

The city’s broader plan focuses on slowing and redirecting water before it overwhelms neighborhoods.

Two proposed detention basins, at Ashton Village and Landmark Manor, are central to that strategy. These basins are designed to temporarily hold water during heavy rain events, reducing the flow into problem areas.

However, officials were clear:

These projects will help, but they will not completely solve the flooding problem.

The most significant improvement is expected to come from a planned channel reconstruction project, which would:

The project is still in the design phase, with survey work recently completed.

Residents Describe Worsening Conditions

While city officials outlined long-term solutions, several residents spoke about immediate and worsening conditions in their neighborhoods.

Homeowners described:

Others raised concerns about standing water persisting even during dry periods, suggesting deeper drainage or grading issues.

City engineers acknowledged the severity of the issues, noting the survey was revealing the situations the citizens were describing. They encouraged residents to submit sketches, photos, videos, and any other documentation to ensure nothing is missed. During public comment, engineers actively marked locations on projected maps in real time as residents spoke, working to capture and understand each concern as it was raised.

Easements Could Determine Timeline

A major hurdle remains: easements from property owners.

To build detention basins and expand drainage infrastructure, the city must secure permission to use portions of private property. Negotiations are currently ongoing with out-of-state property owners.

If agreements cannot be reached, officials acknowledged that eminent domain could be used as a last resort, though they emphasized that is not the preferred path.

Importantly, city leaders said the broader channel project could still move forward even if some easements are delayed.

When Will Construction Start?

Residents repeatedly pressed for a timeline and the answer was cautiously optimistic.

Best-case scenario:

However, officials warned that delays in easements or funding could push the timeline further out.

How the Project Will Be Funded

Unlike some infrastructure projects, this effort is not relying on major outside grants.

Instead, funding is coming primarily from Pevely’s local stormwater tax, which generates roughly:

Officials noted that while grants may be pursued, they are difficult to obtain and often prioritize much larger regional projects.

The total cost of the project is expected to exceed $3 million. Additionally, a contingency plan was originally discussed and is on the entirety of the original proposal that would take the total cost to $5 million. While the city is pursuing the needed easements, engineers seemed optimistic that these improvements could be enough to stop the flooding and standing water.

Other Business: Critical Well House Repairs Underway

Beyond stormwater concerns, the council addressed a critical infrastructure issue affecting water service reliability.

A well house HVAC replacement, estimated at approximately $16,000, has been approved and is now on order. In the meantime, city staff are actively working to keep the facility cool enough to safely operate.

The stakes are significant. If the system overheats, it could shut down water service to Southern Heights, creating a much larger problem for residents.

This HVAC unit has been under near constant repair and has long been identified as part of the city’s broader infrastructure improvement needs. Officials had hoped the system would make it through one more summer, but the failure accelerated that timeline.

While the timing is not ideal, city staff emphasized that:

The new unit is expected to take several weeks to arrive, leaving a critical window where continued oversight will be essential.

Additional City Business

Code Codification Update:
The city is working to clean up and unify outdated and conflicting ordinances, some of which have accumulated over decades.

Mayor Term Question:
One unresolved issue remains, whether the mayor’s term is two or four years, requiring historical clarification dating back to Pevely’s incorporation in 1910.

What Comes Next

City officials plan to return with updated designs and more detailed plans within the next three to four months, giving residents a clearer picture of how the drainage system will be rebuilt.

In the meantime, residents were encouraged to submit photos, videos, and specific problem areas to city staff to ensure no issues are overlooked in the final design.

The Bottom Line

Pevely is making progress on long-standing stormwater issues—but for many residents, relief can’t come soon enough.

With design work still underway and construction likely at least a year out, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the city can turn plans into meaningful results on the ground.