Water quality improvement program for coastal mississippi waters --- mississippi, through the mississippi department of environmental quality (MDEQ), is awarded council-selected restoration…

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council awarded the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) a $6,849,784 Project Grant under the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Comprehensive Plan Component Program (CFDA 87.051). The funding will support the Water Quality Improvement Program for Coastal Mississippi Waters, a 5-year initiative to address water quality degradation in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Key program activities include planning, engineering and design, septic-to-sewer conversion, implementation of new stormwater and wastewater systems, and repairing/upgrading existing systems. The goal is to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality in coastal waters, benefiting living coastal marine resources. The grant award also includes two sub-awards: $240,000 to the Hancock County Water & Sewer District for wastewater system upgrades along Highway 603, and $260,000 to the City of Gautier for wastewater infrastructure improvements in the Hickory Hills area.

Water quality improvement program for coastal mississippi waters --- mississippi, through the mississippi department of environmental quality (MDEQ), is awarded council-selected restoration component funding for the proposed water quality improvement program for coastal mississippi waters. This program will support the primary restore comprehensive plan goal to restore water quality and quantity in the mississippi gulf coast region through the identification and implementation of water quality improvement projects. Program activities include planning, engineering and design, septic-to-sewer conversion, implementation of new stormwater and wastewater systems, and repairing/upgrading existing stormwater and wastewater systems. This program will be coordinated with water quality improvement efforts under other funding streams to maximize outcomes. Causes of water quality degradation in coastal systems include nutrient pollution and associated hypoxia and also bacteriological sources. Water quality degradation is often attributed to urban runoff, discharge, and overflow issues associated with aging or insufficient wastewater management. The conversion of septic-to-sewer and implementation of stormwater and wastewater improvement practices under this program is anticipated to reduce non-point source pollutant loads to downstream coastal receiving water bodies, resulting in an improvement in water quality of coastal waters and benefits to living coastal marine resources.