County water associations receive funds for upgrades

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Jan. 21, 2004
Two Lauderdale County water associations received a combined $7.4 million in loans and grant money to upgrade and expand their water systems.
Nick Walters, director of Mississippi's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Rural Development, presented the checks to the North Lauderdale Water Association and the NTS Utility Association on Tuesday.
NTS will use its $1.8 million loan to install and upgrade 27 miles of distribution lines and improve a treatment plant. NTS has 1,514 users, and officials say the system is growing.
The North Lauderdale Water Association will use the $4.4 million in loans and $1.2 million in grant money to increase water pressure, construct an elevated water tank and additional well and build a treatment plant.
North Lauderdale has 3,509 users and is also growing.
Walters said Lauderdale County was awarded $7.4 million of a total of about $36 million in funds allocated statewide.
USDA's Office of Rural Development assists residents of rural Mississippi with a range of programs to provide affordable housing, water system upgrades and economic development.
The agency also awards grants and issues loan assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations for police and fire protection, health clinics, libraries and other public uses.
Walters said Lauderdale County's water associations rank among some of the best of state's nearly 750 associations.