Alcorn State University (ASU) hosted a Water Treatment Plant Ground Breaking Ceremony on Friday, March 29th, at 10:00 am behind the Campus Bookstore.
The ceremony was guided by Marcus Ward, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The program included a Welcome by Miss Alcorn State University, Moriah Batiest, Invocation and Benediction by Rev. Barry Thompson, Greetings by Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, Dr. Jeff Posey, Remarks by Water and Waste Water Plant Operator, Mr. Larry Hoover, Project Engineer, Ms. Shelia Williams, Director of Bureau of Building, Mr. Calvin R. Sibley, and Interim President, Dr. Donzell Lee.
In 2017, Alcorn State did a trial run of the water treatment process which removed some of the ‘hardness’ from the water. From there, the University took the necessary steps to begin the official water treatment process. Dr. Posey explained, “We’re very excited about this 300-day project so hopefully by November or December we should be wrapping everything up and producing salt water.”
The reverse osmosis treatment plant is one of three in the state of Mississippi. ASU is the only plant in the state of Mississippi to have a closed-circuit reverse osmosis treatment plant. Shelia Willaims explained, “It’s very similar to what you see in your water filters that you run through your refrigerator. When you think about the filters you run through your refrigerator you have the very small filter part. You’re going to get a water quality coming out of this plant that is superb.”
The funding for the project was provided by the Mississippi Legislature. Dr. Lee stated, “The air is cleaner, the grass is greener, and the water is going to be a lot sweeter. Former President and Current IHL Commissioner, Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr. allowed us to make the right contacts through his motivation and his vision. Governor Phil Bryant saw this as a priority and declared it so. We are very appreciative of your support in this project at Alcorn State University. The students and faculty will be positively affected by the change in cleaner water.”