WINONA, Texas — Smith County commissioners approved on Tuesday to use almost $3.7 million in federal COVID-19 funding to pay for a water/sewer project allowing the city of Winona's wastewater to be treated at the East Texas Municipal Utility District.
Smith County has received over $45 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, which is meant to provide relief from the pandemic and its economic impacts.
According to Smith County, the city of Winona has struggled with complying with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guidelines due to wastewater discharge for over 10 years. The city has been fined more than $90,000.
Lane Thompson, with the East Texas Municipal Utility District, said in a presentation that failing to maintain TCEQ wastewater compliance could weaken economic growth and hinder receiving future funding.
Through the ARPA monies, Smith County is paying for a lift station and a force main and to close down the city's old wastewater plant. Winona's wastewater would be sent to ETMUD for treatment. The total cost is set to be $3,677,516, the Smith County statement read.
County officials said the benefits of this project include:
- Lower operation and maintenance costs for Winona residents
- Regionalization of wastewater treatment for better service to northern Smith County residents
- Improved water quality for the Sabine River Basin
- Better marketability for commercial property
The commissioners court heard a presentation about the project in October about using the ARPA funds in this way.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips said the project will help both the city of Winona and the neighboring UT Health Northeast, off of U.S. Highway 271 North – with ongoing water/sewer issues.
He said he couldn't think of a better way to use the ARPA funds.
“I was convinced that this was the last water/sewer project that we absolutely needed to get done,” Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran has said. “It will have the biggest impact on a rural community in Smith County.”
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