Residents of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) will see higher utility costs starting with their December billing cycle, as the agency moves to cover rising sewage treatment expenses and critical infrastructure repairs.
The new rates, which will appear on bills mailed around Jan. 1, are driven by an additional $358,000 in annual costs from third-party sewer providers. Officials said two of their three providers have already raised rates, and a third is expected to increase as well.
Beyond rising treatment costs, the district cited a need for approximately $500,000 in immediate capital projects. These projects include:
- Essential Repairs: Fixing water wells and upgrading lift stations.
- Emergency Preparedness: Installing new generators.
- Mandated Projects: A sewer line relocation required by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
District officials warned that failing to fund these improvements could lead to “delayed maintenance and service failures.” Under state accounting norms, the water and sewer system must be self-sustaining; income from other sources, such as land leases, cannot be used to offset utility costs…