The City of Magnolia, Mississippi, wanted to extend city sewer service to all its residents but did not have the financial resources to do so without outside funding. The homes in the area of North Street had always used septic systems. The septic systems were failing, and some residents had pipes that went directly into ditches. Residents were afraid their children would get sick from the raw sewage if they played in the yard. Magnolia needed a long-term solution.

They asked Communities Unlimited to assess the unserved area and determine what would be needed to connect all 30 homes in the area of North Street to city sewer. Communities Unlimited assessment assisted engineers in developing the most effective option for the Magnolia. It also aided the city in receiving the funding needed to cover the cost of connecting every home to city sewer.

Communities Unlimited’s part in the project was made possible by the Rural Community Development (RCD) program. RCD serves small communities in rural areas mainly comprised of low-income residents who do not have access to safe, clean water and sanitary wastewater disposal and often do not have indoor plumbing. The RCD program is one of six programs within the Office of Community Services (OCS) located within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) part of the US Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS).