Mo. Rev. Stat. § 247.200: Rights of districts.

The district shall have the right to lay its mains in public highways, roads, streets and alleys included in the district, but the same shall be done under reasonable rules and regulations of governmental bodies having jurisdiction of such public places. This shall apply to maintenance and repair jobs. In the construction of ditches, laying of mains, filling of ditches after mains are laid, connection of service pipes and repairing of lines, due regard must be taken of the rights of the public in its use of thoroughfares and the equal rights of other utilities thereto.