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.

A sign that reads, “Pearl River Central Water Association, Carriere MS”
Under the Pearl River Central Water Association, some members complain of sediment in water, low pressure, extended boil notices and lagging meter work. The association has not held an annual meeting of members since 2019. Association management acknowledges recent service issues and is working to change practices. Photo by RHCJC News

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

A woman wearing a blue-gray sweater stands outside, smiling.
Jennie “Nicky” Kennedy, at her home in Carriere, says sand began pooling in her tub in 2023 and that water pressure is still too low to run the washer and dishwasher at the same time. She’s among Pearl River Central Water Association members pressing for accountability. RHCJC News Credit: Samuel Hughes

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. 

Close-up for a man in a blue shirt and shorts holding a plastic jar full of fine sand.
Moris Johnson holds a jar of sand he collected from his home’s water supply in Carriere. He says the issue left his son showering at truck stops for weeks. RHCJC News Credit: Samuel Hughes

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. 

A man wearing a blue striped shirt and suspenders stands indoors in front of floral decorations.
Kirby Mayfield, president of the Mississippi Rural Water Association, says rural systems are member-owned and members are empowered by the Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Act. The association is helping Pearl River Central Water Association restart meetings, update bylaws and tighten customer service. RHCJC News

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 

A woman in a gold blouse smiles at the camera, standing in front of a brick wall and greenery.
Mississippi Sen. Angela Burks Hill, R-District 40, wants a clearer path for residents to resolve issues—a single point of contact and faster remedies—and says rural water association members are at a “strategic disadvantage” under current nonprofit law. RHCJC News

Mississippi 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. 

A woman with long gray hair examines a large map laid out on a wooden table.
Melody Copling, manager of Pearl River Central Water Association, says the utility is installing point-of-service filters, backwashing homes and flushing mains to clear residual sand. She said the first step toward improved service is increased communication with members. RHCJC News Credit: Samuel Hughes

“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: 

Samuel Hughes is a recent graduate of Mississippi State University, where he worked closely with fellow student journalists to produce award-winning stories. His term as news editor of MSU’s student newspaper, The Reflector, and his time working as a science writer for Mississippi State’s agricultural, forestry, and life science publications have given him skills suited to diving into dense topics while providing meaningful instruction to rising journalists. A Gulf Coast native, Sam is now deeply invested in the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s mission of reporting community-focused journalism to southeast Mississippi.

Reporter for RHCJC News

Nischit “Nick” Sharma is a sophomore at The University of Southern Mississippi pursuing a degree in computer science. He is from Kathmandu, Nepal, and is a center photographer and videographer.

The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center, housed at The University of Southern Mississippi, is dedicated to enhancing the media landscape in southeast Mississippi by prioritizing impactful, issue-oriented, and people-centered reporting.

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