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Winterville Water Association asks county for help after contractor performance and line‑damage complaints
Summary
John Hill, president of the Winterville Water Association, told the board that subcontractor Precision Pipeline has repeatedly damaged water infrastructure and left work unfinished; the board agreed to convene a meeting with the engineer, the association’s attorney and Representative Bailey to seek resolution.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Miss. — John Hill, president of the Winterville Water Association, appeared before the Washington County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 23 to report ongoing problems with the contractor working on the town’s new well and distribution work.
Hill said the new well was installed successfully by Mid South Water, but that Precision Pipeline — a subcontractor working under Heffeling (Heflin) Engineering — had caused repeated service issues. Among the complaints: crews reportedly struck a main 4‑inch water line that Hill said had been clearly marked, and he described numerous work‑quality and cleanup problems during recent weeks. “They are the engineers for our new well. But Hessling Engineering hired this company, and it's been terrible,” Hill said.
Hill said residents have reported damaged yards and broken infrastructure and that some homeowners have water and septic infiltration problems they attribute to the project. He said the community is seeking explanation and remedy and that it has engaged attorney Kimberly Merchant to represent the association in communications with the engineer and contractor.
Supervisors asked staff to help arrange a meeting that would include the association, the on‑scene project representative, the engineer, the association’s attorney and Representative Bailey. Board members also requested that project documentation and plans be printed for Hill and that the engineer provide a timeline and corrective plan. Hill said the project’s scheduled completion is March 2026 and that the association has concerns about tank capacity and how fire hydrants will affect pressure and supply.
Ending The board agreed to convene a meeting with the engineer and legal representatives, print project plans for the association, and involve Representative Bailey. The county offered to facilitate the meeting but did not pledge direct funding or operational control of the water system; the association’s attorney will first pursue contractual remedies with the engineer and contractor.
