(1) The authority shall have the power, duty and responsibility to exercise general supervision over the design, construction, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.
(2) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the design, construction or installation, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.
(3) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the use of decentralized treatment systems, individual on-site wastewater treatment systems and centralized wastewater treatment systems.
(4) The authority shall adopt rules establishing performance standards for water and wastewater systems and the operation and maintenance of such systems. Such rules and regulations shall include the implementation of a standard application form for the installation, operation and maintenance of systems; application review; approval or denial procedures for any proposed system; inspection, monitoring and reporting guidelines; and enforcement procedures.
(5) (a) Before a building or development that requires the installation of a water or wastewater system is constructed, such system plan must be submitted to the authority for certification that the system complies with the authority’s requirements.(b) Before approving or renewing a permit for a water or wastewater system within the authority, the state agency must require certification that such system complies with the authority’s requirements.
(a) Before a building or development that requires the installation of a water or wastewater system is constructed, such system plan must be submitted to the authority for certification that the system complies with the authority’s requirements.
(b) Before approving or renewing a permit for a water or wastewater system within the authority, the state agency must require certification that such system complies with the authority’s requirements.
(6) Any system of a municipality, public agency or other person that contracts with the authority shall be subject to the terms of that contract and this chapter.
(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 51-39-1 et seq., the authority may adopt rules and regulations and to construct, maintain, lease and operate facilities for the control of stormwater quality and quantity. In addition, the provisions of Section 51-33-1 et seq., relating to drainage districts and flood control districts, do not apply to the authority.
(8) The authority may control and operate the local retail water or wastewater services and may provide or be responsible for direct servicing of those services to residences, businesses and individuals; however, the authority shall not provide the same service in an area provided by a public utility or person holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Mississippi Public Service Commission for the provision of such services in the certificated area.
(9) The authority shall enter into contracts for major procurements after a bidding process. The authority may adopt administrative rules and regulations pursuant to the provisions of this chapter providing for special procedures whereby the authority may make any class of procurement.
(10) In its bidding processes, the authority may do its own bidding and procurement or may utilize the services of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Information Technology Services or other state agencies as appropriate and necessary.
(11) In the City of Ridgeland, which is served by only the wastewater system as of January 1, 2026, the authority shall have oversight or control of only wastewater service provided to ratepayers. To maintain consistency with the agreement in place with the city prior to the existence of the authority, the City of Ridgeland shall have control over its rate structure, with the City of Ridgeland compensating the authority for its prorated share of wastewater conveyance, treatment, capital improvements and debt service.