STARKVILLE -- A group of landowners in eastern Oktibbeha County is banding together in an effort to bring sewer service to their community.

Ryan Gray came before the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors Monday with a detailed plan to establish the East Oktibbeha Wastewater District, which would gather sewage from homes and businesses east of Starkville, then discharge the waste first at Mississippi State University and then in the city of Starkville's wastewater treatment facilities. Gray owns several properties in Clayton Village, where residents rely on septic tanks and lagoon systems.

According to Gray, the area has "inadequate" sewer service.

"This is posing a serious health issue for residents of this part of the county," Gray told supervisors. "We have an immediate need within the area of Clayton Village."

Gray plans to come back to the board with a petition for supervisors to consider, which would allow the group of landowners to form the sewer district with the assistance of the county. As part of the project, the two entities also would work together to develop and implement a functional business organization to properly manage the utility.

During phase 1 of the project, 14,520 feet of collection lines would be installed along Highway 182 and connected to an existing manhole in front of the Cadence Bank Operations Center.

Phase 2 of the project would install a sewer line north on 16th Section Road to East Oktibbeha Elementary and south across Frye Road to Artesia Road.

Additional phases also might be implemented to meet increased demand.

The estimated cost of the project is $1.5 million for the main trunk line, as proposed by engineer Calvert Spradling, of West Point; $136,000 to improve the capacity at MSU by replacing a lift station and pump stations and $3.5 million for a comprehensive system serving an expanded area in eastern Oktibbeha County.

District 5 Supervisor and Board President John Young was concerned about how much financial responsibility the county would have if plans for the sewer district comes to fruition.

Gray said it's too early to determine how the project would be funded, but state and federal loans and grants are available, as well as stimulus funds and other sources of financing.

Gray plans to present a petition at the next board meeting, when supervisors will discuss the issue further. The board meets again June 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse.