Delta Regional Authority awards Miss. $900,000 grant for wastewater training facility

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By FOX13Memphis.com News Staff

February 15, 2023 at 9:25 am CST

MISSISSIPPI — The Delta Regional Authority has awarded the Mississippi Rural Water Association (MsRWA) a $900,000 grant for a new wastewater training facility, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Feb. 14, 2023.

The grant will help fund the construction of a $1.9 million centralized training facility, according to a news release, and will enable apprentices to learn from industry experts, vendors, and regulatory authorities.

A location for the new facility has not been determined.

Currently, wastewater facility technical training happens at community halls and other available locations in rural areas.

Ultimately, the goal is that rural communities will get better access to certified operators and dependable utilities, the release said.

So too will it help future operators, near the Miss. Emergency Management Agency, be better prepared to help the state for future crisis.

Apprentices will be able to receive two-year’s worth of paid training, including 288 classroom hours, from certified operators.

“This new facility will help provide a higher quality learning experience and improve emergency readiness for water operators throughout the state,” Reeves said.

“Having dependable utilities is vital. This grant and the continued work of the Mississippi Rural Water Association will better ensure that our communities have the operators needed to maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure.”