The Record Matters: Significant Progress and Funding on Regional Sewer Infrastructure Project 

Note: The following op-ed column is submitted by the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors in response to a recent item posted on DeSoto County News. The opinions expressed are those of the board members and not necessarily that of this publication.   

Large infrastructure projects are rarely visible in their early stages, but that does not mean work is not happening. Engineering, permitting, court oversight, phased construction, and funding coordination often occur long before residents see pipes in the ground. The Horn Lake Creek Basin Interceptor Sewer District project is one of those projects. 

Recent commentary regarding wastewater treatment in DeSoto County does not fully reflect the actions already taken or the progress now underway. The record shows years of advocacy, significant local investment, and federal funding now advancing through the congressional appropriations process. 

Most notably, U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker helped appropriate $17.5 million in federal funding in two bills currently pending before Congress: $2.5 million in the Environmental Protection Agency appropriations bill and $15 million in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers appropriations bill. This funding represents meaningful progress and reflects sustained engagement at the federal level. 

At the local level, DeSoto County has already paid $3 million in funds for the project headed by the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority. Southaven and Horn Lake also contributed $3 million each. 

For years, the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors has recognized the complexity and urgency of addressing infrastructure needs tied to the Horn Lake Creek Basin Interceptor Sewer District and the court-ordered transition away from reliance on Memphis wastewater treatment. From the outset, it was understood that this challenge would require both local commitment and outside funding. 

At the same time, DeSoto County, DCRUA, Southaven, and Horn Lake are actively lobbying state lawmakers to contribute millions during the current legislative session to help keep the project on schedule and maintain progress toward court-mandated deadlines. 

While state funding remains a priority, the project cannot pause while those decisions are made. To ensure work continues without delay, DCRUA has initiated a $27.5 million low-interest loan through the State Revolving Fund. This financing will allow critical phases of the project to stay on track as additional funding sources are pursued. 

Where the Project Stands Today 

• Substantial progress has already occurred, and several critical components are actively moving forward. 

• Peak flow storage facility: Construction is complete, funded in part by the County’s $3 million. Initial control calibration is underway, and the facility is expected to be fully operational in January 2026. 

• Effluent pump station and force main: Pre-construction activities are nearing completion. Bids have been received, and construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. 

• Project design: Design for the remaining components is approximately 30 percent complete. 

• Funding efforts: Federal and state funding requests are advancing. 

What Comes Next 

The remaining phases of the project are sequenced and scheduled over the coming years. 

• Construction of the influent pump station and force main is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027. 

• Construction of the solids handling infrastructure is anticipated to begin in the third quarter of 2028. 

• Expansion and improvement of the Johnson Creek mechanical treatment plant is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2029. 

• Final startup and disconnection from the Memphis wastewater system is scheduled for the first quarter of 2031, ahead of the court-mandated deadline. 

A Complex Challenge Requires Sustained Collaboration 

This is a $300 million regional infrastructure project involving court oversight, multiple jurisdictions, complex engineering, and layered funding sources. Progress is measured in completed facilities, executed contracts, approved designs, secured funding, and met deadlines. 

Additional funding will still be required, and continued collaboration among local, state, and federal partners remains essential. What the record clearly shows, however, is that this work has been treated as a priority and is moving forward. 

DeSoto County, DCRUA, and the affected cities will continue advocating for funding, advancing construction, and working toward a permanent wastewater solution that protects public health, supports economic growth, and ensures reliable service for residents across the region. 

The record matters — and it shows that this work is underway. 

This article is provided by the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors, which is solely responsible for its content.