DNR officials told the Eldon council that a bilateral compliance agreement attached to a department letter asks the city to add disinfection after recent E. coli and coliform positives; DNR said timelines are negotiable but warned of enforcement if negotiations fail. Residents pressed for alternatives and funding options.

Alliance Water Resources presented a proposal to operate Eldon's water and wastewater systems, citing staffing backup and an example where it says it saved a Missouri town roughly $133,000 a year. Council members asked about employee transfers, retirement benefits and DNR interactions.

Council members discussed starting design and negotiation work for water-line replacements, pursuing federal and state water infrastructure grants (EPA and others), and scheduling an in-person meeting with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to review samples and proposals; staff and the engineer will prepare materials for grant applications.

American Water representatives presented technical capacity, examples of acquisitions and financing options; councilors and residents said more due diligence is needed amid concerns about higher rates, loss of local control and treatment choices such as chlorination.

Public works staff reported the wastewater plant's UV disinfection reactors were submerged under about 7 feet of floodwater, are currently nonfunctional, and the city notified DNR; insurance and vendor assistance are pending and staff will return with repair options and cost estimates.

City of Eldon announced a DNR-ordered boil-water notice after a repeat sample returned E. coli; staff said wells tested clean but contamination appears in the distribution system, and officials outlined immediate testing, potential chlorination, estimated costs and funding options.