By Staff
CONCERNED n Lauderdale County resident Gaius Tew shows dirty filters taken from his home filtration system in the past couple of months. One used filter sits next to a brand new one. The jar of water was collected just prior to changing filters, also within the last couple of months. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Jan. 31, 2001
While North Lauderdale Water Association officials announced and lifted a boil water notice last week for the Center Hill area, at least one resident is still concerned about water quality and safety.
Gaius Tew has a water filtration system in his new home. He said he has had water problems for the past three or four years. He has been saving dirty filters for several months and said he is considering turning them over to the health department.
His children attend West Lauderdale schools.
He said his new house has PVC pipes and should have "no rust coming through the system," but he had to replace a water heater within a year's time "because of the sediments coming through the water line."
Tew said he asked two different managers at North Lauderdale Water to send someone out to look at the filters, but no one has come. Late last week, he received a notice that his water service rates are about to increase.
Lauderdale County Assistant School Superintendent Ed Mosley said he isn't aware of any other water problems at West Lauderdale.
Will Massey, who is a member of the association's board of directors, said he has received very few complaints like Tew's. He said last week's boil water notice was the only one issued in the past several years.
Massey said North Lauderdale Water Association officials take daily samples at the water treatment plants before water goes out to users. He said 10 samples are also taken monthly by certified personnel and sent to the Mississippi Department of Health.
He said state health officials do their own random checks and an annual inspection. Lines are flushed at least once a month.
Massey said pipe walls of both main lines and lines within homes can attract sediment that can be knocked loose by disturbances.
The rate increase goes into effect March 1. Rates will rise from $12.55 to $13.55 for monthly water use of up to 3,000 gallons. Each additional 1,000 gallons up to 8,000 gallons will cost $2.50 for residential users and $2.75 for commercial users. Each additional 1,000 gallons above 8,000 gallons will cost residential users $2.75 and commercial users $3.
Association officials say rate increases go toward upgrading and enlarging treatment plants and wells and expanding water service because communities are growing.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.