Scales of justice behind two hands shaking in agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Wes Young, City Administrator
Phone: 417-742-3033
Email: ca@cityofwillard.org

City of Willard Announces Settlement for 94 Force Main Failures

Willard, MO (Date) – The City of Willard is pleased to announce the receipt of a $950,000 settlement related to the multiple failures of the “94 force main,” located just off Highway 160 south of Willard. These failures stemmed from design and construction work associated with a sanitary sewer improvement project initiated with a design contract in 2017 and initiated by a construction contract in 2018. The design and construction companies involved in the project have agreed to this settlement, which was approved in recent weeks and has now been paid in full to the City.

Attorney fees totaling $316,350 and incurred expenses of $25,438.38 were deducted from the settlement, resulting in a net amount of $608,211.62. These funds have been earmarked to complete upgrades to the 94 sewer main, a critical infrastructure connecting the City of Willard to the Springfield sewer system.

“This settlement represents a significant step forward in addressing the long-term needs of our sanitary sewer system,” said Wes Young, City Administrator. “The funds will allow us to improve the reliability and efficiency of the 94 force main, ensuring that Willard’s infrastructure meets the needs of our community for years to come.”

The City of Willard is committed to transparency and prudent stewardship of these funds. Planning and implementation of the upgrades is already in progress, with the goal of minimizing future disruptions and enhancing the system’s resilience.

For further details or media inquiries, please contact Wes Young, City Administrator, at ca@cityofwillard.org.

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