Key Points
- Residents served by the Pearl River Central Water Association in Pearl River County have experienced issues with sand in their tap water, low pressure, and prolonged boil-water notices.
- The association has not held an annual member meeting since 2019, and monthly meetings were irregular during 2023 and 2024.
- Manager Melody Copling said sand entered the water system due to a damaged well that has since been repaired, but residual sand may take years to clear.
- State lawmakers, including Sen. Angela Burks Hill, are considering new legislation to strengthen oversight of rural water associations and improve customer complaint processes.
- The Pearl River Central Water Association plans to hold its next annual meeting on December 2 and is working with state organizations to improve service and communication.
CARRIERE — Jennie “Nicky” Kennedy looked forward to a warm bath after a long shift as a hairstylist in 2023. But when she turned on the tap, sand pooled at the bottom of her tub — the start of ongoing problems with the Pearl River Central Water Association.
“As I’m filling it up, sand and mud back in there — couldn’t even take a bath or do laundry, because the washing machine would get clogged with sand,” she said.
Her story echoed through a Sept. 9, 2025, Mississippi Senate Energy Committee hearing, where rural water customers voiced frustration over limited oversight of nonprofit, member-owned systems — which serve about 1.6 million Mississippians.
Anne Smith, an investigator with the Mississippi Public Service Commission, told lawmakers there had been 471 rural water association complaints statewide since Jan. 1, 2024 — including 187 in the Southern District. She reminded the panel, however, that the commission doesn’t regulate water association operations.
“When I tell them the Public Service Commission doesn’t have authority, the most common question is, ‘Well, who does?’” Smith said.
Local impacts
That question weighed on Kennedy as she called for help. After two weeks, a crew addressed the sand, but pressure problems followed.
“My water pressure now is terrible,” she said. “You cannot run the washing machine and the dishwasher at the same time. I cannot be putting water in my pool and take a shower or a bath.”
Her neighbor, 80-year-old Morris Johnson, said sand ruined his water heater and faucets and filled his septic tank. The association installed a filter, but it clogged within days. For 10 months, Morris said, he often replaced filters himself.
“If the filter (went) out on a Thursday or Friday, they would change it maybe Tuesday or Wednesday,” he said. “My son went to the truck stop a couple of times that has showers on his way to work, and me — I just suffered with it.”
Pearl River Central Water Association Manager Melody Copling said sand entered the system from a damaged well — a first for the association. While the well has been repaired, she said clearing residual sand from lines could take years.
The association filed an insurance claim for documented damage in affected areas, including Openwood subdivision, Lumpkin Road, Anchor Lake Road and Verna Roche Drive.
Residents have also reported prolonged boil-water notices, spotty communication, high bills and delayed meter sets. Copling, who succeeded her late husband — the longtime manager — said service quality declined during his final years, and the system struggled with vacant board seats and staff shortages.
Who’s in charge?
Rural water associations are nonprofit and governed by a board elected by members. However, Copling said Pearl River Central hasn’t held an annual meeting since 2019, and monthly meetings were irregular in 2023 and 2024.
Kirby Mayfield, president of the Mississippi Rural Water Association, said member involvement is critical.
“The members elect the directors … They need to go to the board meetings,” he said. “If their bylaws do not cover whatever problem … you refer to the Mississippi Nonprofit Act.”
The Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Act requires associations to publish annual financial reports and notices of annual meetings. It also outlines how to call member meetings and remove directors.
Mayfield said existing structures — including the Nonprofit Act, limited Public Service Commission jurisdiction, and state and federal water quality regulations — are sufficient when members stay engaged.
But Kennedy said that’s easier said than done.
“You’re working 12, 13 hours a day and you come home — you got time for that? No,” she said. “If you got children that are sick and your husband’s sick and you’re fighting for their lives — you got time for bad water at your house?”
Legislative push
State Sen. Angela Burks Hill, R-District 40, said the current legal framework isn’t working for customers with persistent issues.
“It’s a very cumbersome task for the member-owned utility to be able to right the ship themselves,” she said. “We want to put some teeth in the nonprofit law … (and bring) oversight from the (Public Service Commission).”
Hill said she expects several bills next session. She pointed to recent legislation authorizing the commission to investigate a utility in Holly Springs as a model and proposed fines for associations with high complaint volumes.
“We want a general way for the customers and the members to have a roadmap,” she said. “They need a shorter avenue … to get the water that they’re supposedly paying for.”
Senate Energy Vice Chair Bart Williams said lawmakers are also considering:
— Mandatory rate studies to keep systems financially stable.
— A capacity trigger requiring expansion plans as system approach limits.
— A standard complaint response process and designated contact for residents.
Moving forward
Copling became manager of Pearl River Central in February and said the association is working to improve communication. It has partnered with the Mississippi Rural Water Association and appointed a full board over the past year. The next annual meeting is set for Dec. 2.
“This system ran good for several, several years. It fell off for a few years. Some things happened, but it’s coming back,” she said.
Mayfield said the process starts with regular board meetings and revising the association’s 1965 bylaws.
“We’re going to look at all their policies, procedures, look at the financials, look at the way they run the outside staff, as far as reacting to customer complaints, leaks, setting meters,” he said. “We’re just going to make recommendations.”
While lawmakers debate more oversight, Kennedy urged others to speak up.
“Bug them if you have to; show up if you have to — because you’re partly responsible for your water,” she said. “If you don’t do something about it, nobody else is.”
If you’re having repeated issues with your rural water association:
— Contact your water office. Document the date, time, and include photos or video. Keep receipts and repair invoices.
— Request a meeting with your association’s board.
— For safety concerns, contact the Mississippi State Department of Health.
— File a complaint with the Public Service Commission.
— Call the Mississippi Rural Water Association for technical help.
— Voice your concerns to local lawmakers.