DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi – Millions of dollars in federal funding are on the way to make upgrades and improvements to the wastewater infrastructure system in DeSoto County.
This week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District signed an amended agreement with the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority increasing the federal equity funding limit for the county’s wastewater infrastructure system by nearly $84 million. at $130 million.
Those involved in the partnership said the financial support will benefit residents for decades.
Project manager Zachary Cook of the Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District said the services involved thousands of Walls customers in Horn Lake, including parts of Olive Branch.
“This helps support the continued expansion of the sanitation system into the customer footprint,” Cook said.
DCRUA’s vice president told WREG that the additional funding is expected to create 1,000 new jobs over the next eight years.
The federal aid will go towards many things, including expanding existing sewage treatment facilities, new aeration equipment and building a new concrete reservoir as the county’s population soars.
Nearly $11 million of the new funding is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed last November.
Currently, part of DeSoto County uses the Memphis sewer system. It’s part of a deal that will expire next year.
