Influent pump failure spurs Vicksburg to fast-track fix

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Mayor and Board of Aldermen held an emergency meeting yesterday afternoon to declare a state of emergency after an influent pump broke over the weekend likely due to the heavy rain.

According to the City Attorney, Lee Thames Jr., the city chose to declare a state of emergency to help expedite the repair, since the current bids for the project exceeded $75,000.

An influent pump is a critical component in a wastewater treatment plant, responsible for receiving, lifting, and transferring raw wastewater from the collection system for further treatment. It essentially acts as the first step in the wastewater treatment process.