Saltillo water woes likely coming to a clear conclusion

SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of Saltillo is planning to switch its water supply from well water to river water before the end of this year.

Experts said it will put a stop to brown, smelly water that has plagued some residents since the city switched water supply systems several years ago.

Nearly two years ago, Saltillo switched from river water to well water and for some residents, discolored water has been a recurring problem ever since.

“It has a tint to it, you don’t want to drink it, you know?” said Saltillo Mayor Rex Smith.

Recently, the Saltillo Board of Aldermen approved the switch back to river or surface water, and set a deadline for December 31.

In fact,  Alderman Copey Grantham said he will forfeit his salary if the deadline is not met, and he called on fellow aldermen to do the same.

“I truly believe when the checks stop clearing, the local officials in Saltillo will make it a priority and take it seriously,” Grantham said.

Saltillo will start buying its water from the Northeast Mississippi Regional Water Supply District.

It will mean a slight increase in customers’ monthly water bills, but will also allow the city to better prepare for future growth.

“Under our current system, if we build 250 more homes, the government will stop us from adding homes because we have reached our capacity, we are focusing on Saltillo’s future, not the past,” Grantham said.

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley has been involved in the Saltillo water saga for more than a year after his office received complaints from residents with dirty water.

Presley ordered a management audit of the Saltillo Water Department.

The 35-page report suggested the city switch to river water to solve issues with tainted water.

“It took a little time to get this independent management review done, but I think it’s worth its weight because it gives an independent look, puts politics, personalities aside, to really arrive at the best conclusion for the citizens of Saltillo,” said Presley.

Mayor Smith said he is relieved the issue is coming to a favorable conclusion.

“It has slowed us down on some other things, hopefully, we can move forward on some great ideas we have and get everybody fired up about Saltillo,” said Mayor Smith.

Commissioner Presley will officially set a December 31 deadline for the water supply switch in Saltillo on Monday.