USDA funds awarded to Nesbit Water Association

A loan of more than $5 million has been given to the Nesbit Water Association Inc. plant replacement and other work by the rural water association. 

Mississippi U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s office announced the award of $5.15 million to the Nesbit Water Association late last week. It is one of four grant awards under the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development to improve water and wastewater systems.

According to the Senator’s office, the association is receiving the loan to replace an aging water treatment plant, reactivate three idle wells, construct a 500,000 gallon elevated water storage tank, and install enhanced water distribution piping.

A total of more than $9.6 million in loans and $1.846 million in grants were doled out from USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program funding.

“I’m pleased to see USDA Rural Development advance public utility projects for the residents in these Mississippi communities,” Hyde-Smith said in a news release. “The improvements these investments will support should ensure more reliable water and wastewater services, which are quality of life requirements.” 

The Mississippi Republican serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.

The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program focuses on the water and wastewater infrastructure needs of rural communities of 10,000 or less, providing funds for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses.

The City of Grenada, Janice Water System Association of Brooklyn, Mississippi, and the Friendship Community Water System of McComb also received loan or grant money from the allocation.