Residents of Eau Claire, Lowndes Struggle with Sewage Issues
In a bid to combat persistent sewage problems, Lowndes County is seeking millions in federal and state funding for a $6.9 million project that would allow 150 households in the Eau Claire Subdivision to connect to the Columbus Light and Water sewer system.
Raising the Stakes
The Eau Claire Subdivision, located off Highway 69 southeast of Columbus, is a quiet community that has been plagued by a major problem for decades. After heavy rainfalls, the area’s plumbing systems become backed up for days at a time, causing great inconvenience and distress among residents.
“When you buy a house, the last thing you should have to worry about is flushing your toilet,” said Eric Thomas, whose mother has lived in the neighborhood since 1992. Eric has witnessed the struggles of his mother and her neighbors firsthand and understands the urgent need for a sustainable solution.
To address this issue, Lowndes County officials are now pursuing state and federal funds to introduce a low-pressure sewer system that would enable residents to connect to the municipal sewage system. The county supervisors have also committed $400,000 as a match to any assistance the project receives.
A Closer Look at the Proposed Solution
The proposed low-pressure sewer system for the subdivision has been designed by the county’s contracted engineering firm, Calvert Spradling. It comprises of grinder pumps for each house that would join a main line at the street. The cumulative action of the grinder pumps would then push wastewater to the Columbus Light and Water connection.
“Whenever you can hook to a centralized system that takes sewage out of your yard where you live, work and play, that’s a good health move for your family,” said Kevin Stafford, the North Mississippi manager for the Neel-Schaffer engineering firm. He believes that most people would choose to connect if given a choice.
Seeking Funding
The main challenge at hand is gathering the required funding to implement the new sewage system. Trip Hairston, board of supervisors president, said that county officials have been reaching out to US legislators and state legislature members for assistance. Apart from this, the county is also looking to tap into some of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The proposition’s feasibility is positively influenced by the fact that the design work for the project is complete and that water/drainage/sewer initiatives were high ARPA priorities. As such, county supervisors are optimistic about the project’s chances of securing the necessary funds.
The Residents’ Take
However, there is some skepticism among Eau Claire residents who have been dealing with the sewage problem for a long time. The residents have made their share of attempts to solve the problem, including installing larger septic tanks or rerouting pipes, but they have only brought temporary relief.
Residents like Anniah Lewis and his wife Sandra are hopeful but cautious. Although they would like to connect to the CLW sewer, they have been let down too many times in the past to be fully optimistic. Despite their skepticism, the county’s move is a step in the right direction and gives hope to the community for a long-term solution to the sewage issue that has marred their lives for too long.
