Groundbreaking Ceremony Launches Major Wastewater Project in Clinton-Raymond-Bolton Corridor

Special to The Bolton News

Community leaders from Clinton, Raymond, and Bolton came together Monday to mark a significant step forward in addressing long-standing wastewater infrastructure needs in western Hinds County. The Clinton-Raymond-Bolton Wastewater Authority (CRBWA) officially broke ground on its initial step toward progress—an essential force main sewer line that will extend roughly 5.5 miles along I-20, beginning west of Farr Road and ending at the Bolton-Brownsville Road interchange.

Hemphill Construction Company, based in Florence, Mississippi, has been awarded the $14.6 million contract. Residents can expect work to begin very soon, with the project expected to wrap up before the end of September 2026. Funding is made possible through Mississippi’s Municipal and County Water Infrastructure Grant Program, made possible by a matching contribution from the state legislature.

Mark Bailey, CRBWA President, underscored the project’s long-term importance: “This marks a major investment in the sustainability and future development of our region. It’s just the beginning of what will become a 40-mile pipeline connecting our cities directly to the Big Black River for wastewater discharge—eliminating a long-standing environmental bottleneck.”

The origins of this project can be traced back nearly 15 years, when the Environmental Protection Agency flagged concerns over the capacity of the local streams handling treated wastewater, particularly in Clinton. Without action, the growth potential of nearby municipalities like Raymond and Bolton would also be severely restricted due to environmental constraints.

In response, the cities of Clinton, Raymond, and Bolton joined forces with the South Central Water Association. Their collaboration led to the formal establishment of the CRBWA in July 2023, with the shared goal of developing a regional solution to a growing infrastructure problem.

Mayor-Elect Will Purdie emphasized the project’s broader implications. “This is more than just a sewer line—it’s a foundation for future growth,” he said. “Communities throughout western Hinds County will benefit, from economic development to school funding. It’s a transformational effort that positions this region for the kind of progress we’ve long needed.”

While Monday’s ceremony celebrated a single project, it signaled the launch of a broader vision. Once fully realized, the planned 40-mile system will provide not just improved environmental stewardship but also a vital platform for attracting new investment and accommodating population growth.

“We’ve talked about this for years,” Purdie added. “Now, we’re doing the work. This is progress you can see—and soon, it’s progress you’ll be able to measure in real growth and opportunity.”