/New federal investments alone won’t fix Mississippi’s aging sewer systems

New federal investments alone won’t fix Mississippi’s aging sewer systems

They’ve spent millions on these facilities over the years and there’s historic federal funding available. However, it is likely that the cities will need more money to comply the Environmental Protection Agency’s orders. Despite the fact that progress has been slowed by a dispute between the Senate and the House over the elimination of the income tax, lawmakers are now deliberating how much they will spend from $1.8 billion allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act for infrastructure repairs. John Hines (D-Greenville), said that in communities where the population has declined, it is vital to have access to resources. According to U.S. Census data Greenville’s population has dropped by more than 30% between 2000 and 2019. This makes loans for infrastructure improvements less feasible due to the city’s shrinking tax base. Hines stated that it was concerning to see “political posture” regarding the income tax, when resources are available to alleviate the financial burden on his constituents. Infrastructure can be funded with any amount of the ARPA pot. Senate passed a proposal for a $750 million grant program for rural water associations, cities, and counties. The House approved Wednesday’s proposal to create a $400million grant program for cities and counties to improve water, wastewater, and stormwater quality. Some cities in Mississippi may not have enough funding even with this historic funding. Toby Barker, Hattiesburg mayor, stated that “ARPA and bipartisan infrastructure bill” will help Hattiesburg but that the problem is more than what a few pieces legislation can fix. He also said that cities will have to make difficult financial decisions in order to increase their revenue. Cities have been forced to bear a greater burden for wastewater infrastructure spending in recent decades, just as they have with drinking water. Underfunding is a problem in cities with lower tax bases and less ability to pay for repairs. This has a negative impact on both the system’s bottom end as well as the city’s revenue. Walter Williams, Belzoni’s public work director last year, said that “we’re getting so many rainwaters that infiltrate the system.” It’s the water that infiltrates the system that causes the pumps to work harder. It also causes people to not be able to flush their toilets. Aging sewer lines can allow more seepage from rain or other stormwater. This can overwork the treatment plants and cause residents to have to use their own lines. Greenville’s piping is regularly flooded by the Mississippi River. Mayor Errick Simmons stated that climate change is a contributing factor. He said, “When the rain comes and there are holes in the collection system people can’t flush as they’re used too.” “So they have backups when the sewage is backing into their bathtubs.” On the other hand, overworked systems can send partially treated or raw wastewater straight into public water bodies, injecting pollutants such as fecal, coliform, and nitrogen into the ecosystem. The EPA takes action when pollution reaches a certain level. Cities can be fined or forced to take actions. The EPA works closely with these cities to create long-term spending plans. However, compliance can be costly. Hattiesburg residents saw their sewer rates increase incrementally between 2016 and 2019, Barker stated, adding that the city approved another rate hike last year. Barker stated that the city has already spent “well over” $50M on sewer and wastewater since 2010. However, it will likely need another $40-$50 million to complete the job. Hattiesburg’s 46,000 population means that funding is not as high as other cities. Greenville, which has a population 31,000, requires $110 million to comply with an EPA consent decree. Simmons said that the city, which had already spent $50 million, includes federal loans. According to the Clarion Ledger, Jackson, the largest city in the state, could need nearly $800 million. Williams in Belzoni stated that the cost of the property is $6 million. This is a significant burden for a city of just over 2,000 residents, where 28% live below the poverty level. He said that “you need a lot of funds” and that the city doesn’t generate enough taxes or sewer rates to support the amount of people it has. Simmons stated that Greenville’s poverty rate of 37% means that funding $110 million from the city would quadruple water and sewer bills rates. ARPA will provide $6 million to the city, but the mayor hopes that it could be doubled if the Senate approves a funding match. Simmons stated that it is a massive undertaking to solve this infrastructure problem. “We have waited for years for a comprehensive infrastructure package, and now it’s finally here, and we’re going make good use.”