JCUA official tells Ocean Springs aldermen system is near planning threshold; wholesale water contract set for renegotiation

Jackson County Utility Authority Executive Director Eric Page told the Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen that the city—s wastewater system is close to thresholds that trigger state-required planning, and that wholesale water pricing to Ocean Springs is currently subsidized but due for renegotiation.

Page presented data showing monthly average wastewater flows and a clear correlation with rainfall, and said the health department uses a design-capacity metric that puts Ocean Springs near the planning trigger. "The percent design capacity is 97.2%," Page said in describing an older report, noting that after accounting for a revised wholesale allocation the city's actual internal calculation would be about 89.6%. He added that the Mississippi Department of Health expects systems at or above 85% to enter a planning phase to increase available capacity.

The JCUA official also explained how private-service laterals, uncapped cleanouts, roof drains and older pipe materials contribute to inflow and infiltration (I&I), and that much of that component can originate on private property. He described trenchless rehabilitation work the city has completed, such as cured-in-place pipe lining and manhole rehab, as likely contributors to moderating measured flows.

On wholesale water pricing, Page said JCUA currently sells water to the city at a below-cost rate. "The amount that we have that we're charging you right now is 62.5¢ per thousand," he said, while reporting that a supplier contract (Great River) is roughly $1.40 per thousand. "So we're essentially subsidizing the city of Ocean Springs through our old contract," Page said, and warned that JCUA plans to approach the city in 2028 "with the intent to renegotiate that contract for the actual cost."

Aldermen and residents asked procedural and technical questions about what the JCUA is, how the authority formed and how wholesale allocations work. Page summarized JCUA—s history, governance and service footprint and emphasized that drilling new wells, building treatment capacity or purchasing additional wholesale water all carry significant cost and permitting risk. "Capital costs of a new well are going to cost between $1 to $3 million," he said, noting water-quality and aquifer constraints in parts of the county.

The board did not take formal action on water rates or capital projects at the meeting; aldermen said they would continue to review past studies and incorporate JCUA—s findings into the city—s capital-improvements planning.

Next steps: aldermen and staff said they will continue reviewing prior studies and consider the timing and scope of any planning or negotiations with JCUA ahead of the authority—s planned 2028 contract discussion.