WTOK-TV Meridian
Hyde-Smith: Infrastructure upgrades approved for Lauderdale County
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTOK) - According to a news release from the office of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, the USDA has approved a loan to Southwest Lauderdale Water Association to build a backup well.
SWLWA will use $2.56 million for a second 600 gallons-per-minute well as a backup to an existing well. The loan will also be used to expand and upgrade wastewater treatment operations and replace undersized water mains. The work is expected to improve service for more than 3,600 water customers.
“Water infrastructure that is up to modern standards is important to the quality of life in rural communities, and pivotal in attracting and sustaining economic growth,” Hyde-Smith said. “I’m pleased USDA Rural Development is investing in Mississippi, where need remains significant throughout the state.”
The agency also funded a grant/loan package of $716,000 to the town of Sunflower to rehabilitate an elevated water storage tank to comply with a bilateral compliance agreement with the Mississippi Department of Health. The funding will also be used to evaluate and make repairs to the town’s wastewater system.
Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.