Months after West Dallas County residents asked the commission for help in switching from water wells to a county system, Commissioner Larry Nickels hasn’t reached his goal of 100 sign ups.

Bogue Chitto — a small, unincorporated community northwest of Orrville — is the center of Nickels’ efforts. Nickels says about 70 area residents have signed up after holding multiple informational meetings, but he is expanding his efforts to all surrounding areas to reach his 100-person sign-up goal.

“It isn’t just about getting more dependable water, it’s a rural development idea,” Nickels said. “The local people will be able to have clean, dependable water and the benefit of having fire hydrants in the area. When a fire is raging, time is of the essence. Having fire hydrants would help with fire protection.”

Bogue Chitto residents came to the commission in October 2013, saying sand was beginning to spew from faucets instead of water.

Because of the sand, Shelley Anne Moore, whose family lives in the area, was forced to repair her family’s well system.

“Hopefully that can serve us until a water line comes through,” Moore said. “The sand has diminished quite a bit, but it would be better financially for us, personally, to be connected to the water line. The water well we have may last for a little while or it could dry up again.”

Moore said some area residents are hesitant to sign up, because of confidence in their wells or because of financial requirements.

In 2013, West Dallas County Water Authority project manager Malloy Chandler said a contract with the authority requires a 60-month commitment and a small application fee. The base monthly amount is $23 per person, regardless of whether or not water is being used. The water authority operates independently of the county commission and is a for-profit entity.

The authority previously tried to get residents to switch in the early 2000s, but Bogue Chitto residents were uninterested, Chandler said. In fact, only six people signed up for a contract with the water authority at the time.

The authority’s source of water is two deep wells. When the water authority attempted to extend its line through Bogue Chitto, it stopped short at Salem School, which is approximately three miles away.

Nickels said anyone who lives Bogue Chitto, and isn’t connected to the West Dallas System and is interested should contact him at 412-3915. He said some West Dallas County residents previously chose not to connect to the West Dallas system, but have a water line running by his or her house.

“The water board has the final decision,” Nickels said. “The more people that we have sign up, the more likely we are to get people hooked up to the system.”

The project will likely be paid for through a grant, according to Nickels.