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County utility reports $1.5'$2M rehab estimate for Dundee wastewater; board approves pump waiver
Summary
Tunica County Utility District reported aging equipment, low customer counts and monthly operating losses in Dundee; the board approved a procurement waiver so TCUD can purchase a German-made pump for White Oak rehabilitation work.
A Tunica County utility representative told supervisors on April 6 that wastewater systems in White Oak and Dundee need rehabilitation and that Dundee's system is running at a loss without more customers. The board approved a waiver request related to the purchase of a German pump for a White Oak pump station.
The TCUD representative said the contractor expects to start White Oak upgrades around April 11 once pumps and the control panel arrive. He described Dundee's operational challenge: the system has about 86 service connections with roughly 70 active, and TCUD lost 16 customers including Dundee Elementary School. For February, TCUD reported $1,175.29 in sewer-only collections (plus a $5 ready-to-serve fee per customer that brought total sewer income to $1,525.29); at the same time, lift-station electricity totaled $1,835.06 and monthly testing costs were $350, producing a net monthly loss for the system, the representative said.
The representative said comprehensive rehab of the Dundee plant could cost approximately $1.5'$2.0 million, and the board discussed cost-benefit alternatives including converting some flow to a lagoon system. He said parts of the existing plant were installed between 2003 and 2006 and are wearing out.
Procurement and waiver: TCUD explained that a particular German-built pump is more energy efficient and would reduce long-term electric costs; a Build America procurement requirement would typically require U.S.-made equipment, so TCUD requested a waiver. The board moved, seconded and approved the waiver.
Quote: "We have lost 16 customers down there, including Dundee Elementary School," the TCUD representative said when describing revenue pressures.
Why it matters: The county must decide how to allocate capital funds to maintain wastewater infrastructure that serves pockets of the county. Large rehab costs and limited rate base complicate the decision between capital investment, consolidation or alternative systems.
Next steps: TCUD staff offered to provide detailed maps and cost estimates for connecting additional customers and will meet with board members and the county engineer to refine cost/revenue estimates and procurement details.
