City Receives $100K Grant To Purchase Water Equipment

By Jack Gurner
Reporter

WATER VALLEY – The City has received a $100,000 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority to help pay for equipment to monitor the water system and wastewater treatment plant.

The SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system is estimated to cost about $140,000, according to Mayor Larry Hart.

The SCADA will monitor chlorine, water pressure, and tank levels as well as provide alerts for the City’s six wells, four tanks, and three wastewater treatment facilities.

The monitoring is one of several new requirements by the EPA, MDEQ and the Department of Health. The original deadline for installing the system was Dec. 1 of last year.  

However, the Mayor told Aldermen in September, “As long as we can show a good faith effort, the DEQ is working along with us.”

Hart said that he had worked hard on the grant. “I talked to the right people. And, I appreciate the help of Senator (Gray) Tollison, Representative (Tommy) Reynolds and others.”

Water Valley’s grant application was one of 197 seeking a total of over $18 million dollars from the $5 million available.

Approval of the Small Municipalities and Limited Population County Grant was made by Governor Haley Barbour in a letter to Hart late in December.

Barbour said that Water Valley “has demonstrated local commitment” in addressing community development needs. “I commend you for this initiative and for helping to improve the quality of life in your community.”