MYRTLEWOOD &8212; The Town of Myrtlewood has been working for the last two years to find funding for a new water system to extend to the Jefferson community. Currently, there is no water system and the residences are supported by individual wells. The new water system has the potential to bring water to approximately 300 homes.

For the last two years, the county commission and the town have been applying for funding sources for the $3.3 million project. The Marengo County Commission applied for funding through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, while the Town of Myrtlewood sought funding through the United States Department of Agriculture rural development agency.

The County Commission was able to secure a $600,000 grant and also provide $25,000 of cash funds for the project. The Town of Myrtlewood was able to borrow $1.3 million and also received a USDA grant for $1.4 million.

Currently, they have had 260 residences sign up to get water from the new system, but it has the potential to hook-up at least 300 homes. The cost to sign-up for the new water line is $100, and there is also a $50 deposit and a $50 fee for hook-up. McKinney says the cost will go up to $300 once construction has begun.

The actual number of hook-ups has been an ongoing issue during the application process for securing funding.

The Town of Myrtlewood will be purchasing water from the City of Demopolis and hooking the pipe line up to Springhill water tower on U.S. Highway 43. The pipe will then extend down County Roads 19 and 21 until Alabama Highway 28 and then continue on to U.S. Highway 80.

The funding has been fully approved and the construction documents were signed last week. Many of the materials have been delivered and are being stored along the road. Engineers say they can begin construction in the next few weeks.