A coalition of local cities and water supply districts is looking to ebb area communities away from what they see as an unsustainable reliance on groundwater, as they plan for the next 35 years of water needs in one of the fastest developing areas of the state.
A representative from the group Southwest Missouri Water, which represents the Southwest Missouri Joint Municipal Water Utility Commission, spoke to Republic’s city council during a lunch session Tuesday this week.
In the coming weeks Republic’s council will be asked to consider entering negotiations on the terms of an intergovernmental agreement with Springfield’s City Utilities for “future supplemental connection to their water system.” This would initiate discussions. The terms of any agreement would be returned to Republic’s City Council for final approval…