Facilities Plan Update and SRF Application Authorization

DeSoto County is moving forward with a comprehensive plan to expand its wastewater infrastructure, formally adopting the 2026 Update to the 2022 Wastewater Facilities Plan and authorizing the County Administrator to apply for $10,000,000 from the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF). This initiative addresses increasing development demands, as the existing DeSoto County Regional (DCR) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is operating at approximately 90% of its 0.750 MGD permitted capacity.

Wastewater Treatment Expansion: The plan outlines a phased expansion of the DCR WWTP, with the 0.95 MGD upgrade completed, the 1.4 MGD expansion awaiting award, and design for a 2.0 MGD expansion underway.

Effluent Disposal Strategy: After evaluating alternatives, the County recommends Deep Injection Wells (DIWs) for effluent disposal beyond 1.4 MGD. Rapid Infiltration Basins (RIBs) were deemed cost-prohibitive and inefficient ($30.8M for 1.1 MGD total capacity) due to shallow groundwater and clayey soils. While the existing 600-acre sprayfield could be re-rated to 1.72 MGD (or 2.0 MGD with additional storage), it relies on leased property. DIWs offer a reliable, high-capacity solution (up to 5.95 MGD per well) on County-owned land, despite high initial capital costs (over $20 Million for a system).

Funding and Implementation: The $10,000,000 SRF loan will supplement $5 million in State Appropriations and $8 million in CDBG grant funds to finance the DIW system. Concurrently, the plan includes critical collection system improvements, such as the immediate replacement of Lift Station #21 (requiring property acquisition) and upsizing of two force main segments on CR 769 and SR 31 within the next five years. The resolution takes effect immediately upon its adoption on February 24, 2026.