Missouri Revised Statutes Title XV. Lands, Levees, Drainage, Sewers and Public Water Supply § 249.645. Charges for sewer service, how computed--notice, hearing--delinquency, interest from due date--lien on land authorized--priority of lien--discontinuance of service

1. Any public sewer district created under the provisions of sections 249.430 to 249.660 or established pursuant to Article VI, Section 30(a) of the Missouri Constitution may establish, make and collect charges for sewage services, including tap-on fees. The charges may be set as a flat fee or based upon the amount of water supplied to the premises and shall be in addition to those charges which may be levied and collected for maintenance, repair and administration expenses as provided for in section 249.640. Any private water company, public water supply district, or municipality supplying water to the premises located within a sewer district shall, upon reasonable request, make available to such sewer district its records and books so that such sewer district may obtain therefrom such data as may be necessary to calculate the charges for sewer service. Prior to establishing any such sewer charges, public hearings shall be held thereon and at least thirty days' notice shall be given thereof.

2. Any charges made under this section shall be due at such time or times as specified by the county commission, and shall, if not paid by the due date, become delinquent and shall bear interest from the date of delinquency until paid. If such charges become delinquent, they shall be a lien upon the land charged, upon the county commission filing with the recorder of deeds in the county where the land is situated a notice of delinquency. The county commission shall file with the recorder of deeds a similar notice when the delinquent amounts, plus interest and any recording fees or attorney's fees, have been paid in full. The lien hereby created may be enforced by suit or foreclosure.

3. Should a lien be placed upon a customer's property by a public sewer district for unpaid sewer charges, the lien shall have priority as and be enforced in the same manner as taxes levied for state and county purposes.

4. Should the sewer charges remain unpaid for a period in excess of three months, the district, after notice to the customer by certified mail, shall have the authority at its discretion to disconnect the customer's sewer line from the district's line or request any private water company, public water supply district, or any municipality supplying water to the premises to discontinue service to the customer until such time as the sewer charges and all related costs of this section are paid.