GOMESA Application Details

Internal Project Number: 271349
1. Title of Project: Escatawpa Wastewater Infrastructure Rehabilitation for Coastal Water Quality Improvement
2. Location of Project: Located within the Pascagoula River watershed, the Jackson County, MS, Escatawpa community.
3. Requesting Organization: Jackson County Utility Authority
4a. Name: Chase Glisson
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-762-0119
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 1225 Jackson Avenue
4e. Address Line 2
4e. City, State Zip: Pascagoula, Mississippi
4f. Email: cglisson@jcua-ms.us
5. FundingRequested: $2,800,000
Awarded Amount:
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $2,800,000
9. Project Description/Overview: This GOMESA-funded initiative is dedicated to improving coastal water quality through the targeted rehabilitation of aging wastewater infrastructure in vulnerable Gulf Coast communities. By addressing non-point source pollution at its origin, the project supports long-term environmental health, public safety, and resilience against climate-related impacts.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: Many legacy wastewater systems in the region contribute to nutrient overloading, bacteria contamination, and groundwater degradation. This project will reduce those impacts through these goals & objectives: Project Goals: - Reduce Non-Point Source Pollution in Coastal Watersheds, by minimizing nutrient, sediment, and pathogen loading into waterways from aging or failing infrastructure. - Modernize Critical Wastewater Infrastructure, by rehabilitation of outdated lift stations and sewer components to improve system reliability and capacity. - Support Ecosystem and Wetland Health, by reducing pollutants that contribute to coastal wetland degradation and habitat loss. Targeting long-term water quality improvements in tributaries and downstream estuarine environments. Project Objectives: - Identify and Prioritize Infrastructure Failures, by conducting assessments of lift stations, gravity mains, and force mains to locate sources of inflow and infiltration (I&I), overflows, or leakage. - Rehabilitate or Replace Critical Lift Stations, upgrading outdated equipment, controls, and ensuring operational integrity. - Reduce Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) by implementing repairs and lining of compromised sewer lines to reduce stormwater intrusion and sanitary sewer overflows. - Mitigate Non-Point Source Pollution, by addressing nutrient and pathogen discharges from failing infrastructure into the Pascagoula River watershed and its tributaries.
11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?

(A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses: Yes: Coastal Protection - Non-point source pollution (NPS) (e.g., stormwater runoff with nutrients, bacteria, and sediment) degrades water quality, which harms marshes, oyster reefs, and other natural shoreline buffers. Addressing lift station failures that lead to sewage overflows that pollute waterways and accelerate shoreline erosion. Minimizing Upstream NPS pollution and wastewater spills that inhibit the success of downstream restoration projects. Wetland degradation from pollution leads to loss of natural storm barriers, and these efforts to minimize excessive nutrients and untreated wastewater that harm aquatic life and other sensitive species.

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: Failing sewer lines and lift stations often leak or overflow, releasing untreated sewage into rivers, wetlands, and estuaries. This causes spikes in E. coli, enterococci, and excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). This can lead to fish kills from low dissolved oxygen levels (due to algal blooms), shellfish bed closures due to bacterial contamination (e.g., oysters, clams), loss of aquatic vegetation critical to fish nurseries and bird habitats, loss of nesting habitat for birds (e.g., herons, egrets), and accelerated wetland loss, which weakens the ecological services wetlands provide.

(C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

(D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.

12. Project Timetable/Milestones: Project Award - TBD Design - 240 days Procurement - 120 days Construction Period - 360 days Total - 720 days
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: In Progress Funds Budgeted

15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?: These improvements will result in a measurable reduction in nutrient and pathogen loading into nearby water bodies, helping restore ecological balance in estuaries, wetlands, and shellfish growing areas. The project prioritizes low-impact construction methods, minimizes disturbance to surrounding habitats, and adheres to best management practices (BMPs) throughout implementation. By investing in wastewater infrastructure modernization, this project not only protects coastal water resources but also advances public health and environmental equity in undeserved Gulf Coast communities.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 3
17. Estimated Completion Date: 6/30/2029

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe: $50,000
Travel
Architecture & Engineering
Legal
Consulting: $336,000
Construction: $2,364,000
Site Work
Equipment: $50,000
Indirects
Other
Total: $2,800,000


Application Submission Date: 08/28/2025
Fiscal Year: 2027
Project Status
Application Status: Submitted
Meets Criteria
Internal Notes:
Attachments:: https://gomesa_internal/attachments/GOMESA_1349_COMPLETE.pdf
Hyperlink:: Attachments

Back to List