Mo. Rev. Stat. § 249.320
The board of trustees of sewer districts organized under sections 249.010 to 249.420 shall not have the right to enter upon or appropriate any lands for rights-of-way or other works of the district except by contract with the owner or owners, until the price awarded to the owner of such land shall have been paid to such owners or into the hands of the circuit clerks of the courts organizing such district for the use of such owners; and if the sums awarded be not so paid within five years from the date of filing the commissioner's report, all proceedings as to the taking of such property for rights-of-way and other works not so paid for shall abate at the cost of said district. Whenever any land, rights, or other property is acquired by condemnation under the provisions of sections 249.010 to 249.420 and the price of such property has been paid to the owner or to the clerk of the court by the district, the title, use, possession and enjoyment of said property shall pass from the owner and be vested in the district and subject to its use, profit, employment, and final disposition. The price awarded for all land acquired by any district for rights-of-way or other works, and confirmed by the court, shall be paid in cash to the owner thereof or the clerk of the court for the use of such owner.
§ 249.320, RSMo