From the Department of Public Works:
It’s no secret that Eupora has a water problem. For quite some time all of us have had to deal with inconvenient shut offs and boil water notices and I’ve talked to many folks about how frustrating it has been. Y’all, just know that we are not alone.
So many cities in Mississippi and across the country are dealing with aged water systems that have been spliced and patched together through the decades. We’re all in the same boat and ALL of us are asking how do we FIX this?
Fortunately, the City began the first two phases of our overall water project back in 2019 through 2021. That work included the addition of a well, new lines leading in from Tomnolen, and the new water tower on Gould Street. The next step is to begin replacing lines throughout the City, beginning with the worst/oldest areas.
Recently, money from the CARES and Infrastructure Acts has been awarded and we will be able to apply for more of those ARPA funds in September. There are stipulations, however.
The State of Mississippi requires there to be some matching funds. We already received $492,000 in ARPA funds specific to water infrastructure projects back in 2020 and, potentially, have the ability for that to be matched at a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. Meaning, if we have $10 already then at the 1:2 ratio the State would give us $20 to make a total of $30 to spend on the project.
Rules and regulations for the next round of ARPA funds will be available on July 1, and applications are due mid-to-late September.
While at the Mississippi Municipal League Conference this week we were able to attend many different classes focused on Water Systems, one of which specifically addressed ARPA funds. Best Practices for crafting an application were discussed and it was suggested that a City include a narrative with their submittal. It is recommended that the application include feedback from the community in the form of a letter (handwritten is best) and photos of the conditions to show how bad it is. So, if you would like to send us a letter speaking to your experience with our water system and any photos you might have that may help us get the attention of the folks in Jackson who will be reviewing our application, we would appreciate it greatly.
It was also suggested that, because of the Federal timelines to spend the money, any project that was already planned and ready to move forward might receive preference. It's my understanding that the project has to be complete and everything submitted by late 2026. It is the goal of the Mayor, Board, City Officials, and the amazing team of women and men who keep the water flowing to do all that we can to submit an application that cannot be refused or denied. Everyone deserves clean, reliable water and it’s our priority to ensure that all of our citizens have access.
There is a long road ahead, but we will work through this issue together and we will have a top-notch system when it's all said and done.
In the meantime we are looking for funding sources for “backup” bottled water, so if anyone has access to or knows of any specific water related programs or grants we ought to apply for please let us know.
In service to our community,
City of Eupora Department of Public Works
Eupora News
Original source can be found here.
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