Charleston Mayor Sedrick Smith Sr. said three projects totaling $1.25 million have enabled the city to address a portion of its deteriorating water supply infrastructure.
“Everything was upgraded,” he noted.
Some $800,000 went toward improvements along Main Street and George Payne Cossar Boulevard, Smith explained.
Old asbestos cement water lines that had become very prone to springing leaks, he noted, were replaced with new, larger PVC pipes.
As part of that work by Grenada firm Double S Inc., new fire hydrants also were installed and new sidewalks built along Main and Cossar Boulevard to replace what in some cases had been crumbling, uprooted walkways.
River Ridge Construction Co. of Brookhaven excavated and laid new water lines on Depot and Dorothy streets as part of a $300,000 project, the mayor noted.
Griner Drilling Service of Columbia had the $150,000 project to replace one of the city’s water wells, including pump and piping, Smith said.
“The well has been completed. It’s up and running,” he noted, explaining that the improvements should have a favorable impact on the quality of the city’s water.
To pay for these infrastructure projects, the mayor said Charleston has utilized a combination of funds earmarked for such work by the Mississippi Legislature as well as federal coronavirus relief aid provided through the American Rescue Plan.
He said additional monies are being sought to address other areas of need.
“More improvements are planned to try to improve the quality of the city,” Smith noted.
