Clinton Courier
Congress approves millions for pipeline project
A project seen as crucial to future progress in Clinton and other parts of western Hinds County is another step closer to being fully funded.
By Randy Bell
On January 15, the U.S. Senate approved the FY2026 Department of the Interior appropriations bill, which includes Congressionally-directed funding of $7.8 million for continued work on a pipeline to carry treated wastewater from Clinton, Raymond and Bolton to the Big Black River for disposal. There is also money in the bill for several other projects in Mississippi. The legislation now awaits President Trump’s signature.
Both of Mississippi’s senators hailed the bill’s approval. The funds for the Clinton- Raymond-Bolton Wastewater Authority had been earmarked previously but fell victim to Congress’ inability to reach a budget agreement.
“This is how Congress should operate, passing federal bills through the appropriation process,” said Sen. Roger Wicker. “I look forward to the ways this legislation will help Mississippi’s needs and will support job creation and local governments.”
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith said, “This is responsible legislation, and I look forward to it becoming law, so these resources can be put to work for Mississippi.”
The overall price tag on the project is more than $130 million.
“This piece of funding is a significant boost to completing the major pipeline along Interstate 20, in effect bringing the Big Black River ten miles nearer each of the CRBWA [Clinton-Raymond-Bolton Wastewater Authority] members,” Clinton’s Consulting City Engineer Greg Gearhart wrote in an email.
An approximately five-mile segment of pipeline has already been constructed from the Bolton I-20 interchange to about five miles east of the river. The new $7.8 million in funds will be designated to extend the pipeline westward to Highway 22 near Edwards. Another segment paid for using a previous $7.7 million federal grant will carry the pipeline the rest of the way to the Big Black.
Mayor Will Purdie says every little bit of funding helps, “and we immediately begin searching for the next bit.” He says the importance of the pipeline can’t be overstated.
“But for this project, Clinton would be essentially shut down to all development of any type within the next few years,” said Purdie.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has imposed restrictions reducing the capacity of Clinton’s wastewater treatment plants, which currently discharge into local streams with insufficient water flow to handle the future demands of a growing city. With a 2030 deadline to find a solution looming, Clinton joined with Raymond and Bolton in a regional effort to build the pipeline to the Big Black.
“It’s key to allowing us to continue to grow and develop as a city,” Purdie says.