The Warren County Board of Supervisors approved ratification of an emergency declaration to repair a water tank at the Ceres Industrial Park.

The supervisors learned of the issue from Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Pablo Diaz during their work session last week. Diaz told the board an altitude valve on the water tank is broken and “could cause a bigger problem if it is not fixed.”

“It’s an extraordinary situation,” Diaz said.

At the recommendation of the Port Commission, the issue was declared an emergency and county purchasing agent Tonga Vinson brought the proposal to the board during its regular meeting Monday.

‘The valve needs to be replaced as soon as possible in order to avoid a larger system failure that would adversely affect the industries located there,” Vinson said. “Any interruption in water service would have an extreme negative effects on the local employers based in the park and their many employees, potentially causing plant shutdowns and temporary layoffs, which we certainly want to avoid, not to mention the health hazard. It is my understanding Warren County is the owner of the tank and related infrastructure and funding for the repair is available in the port fund.”

The initial cost to replace the valve is more than $19,800, based on a quote from Gulf States Engineering.

“It will take seven to eight weeks to get the part,” Vinson told the board.

Vinson also asked the board to renew the contract the county has had since 2016 with a household hazardous waste handler for their annual Household Hazardous Waste event. She said this year’s event is tentatively set for June 8 at Sherman Avenue School. Ongoing construction at Warren Central High School where the event is normally held will prevent the county from using the parking area.

The board also approved a resolution to purchase consumable items for the county employees who will be working the annual Household Hazardous Waste event.

The supervisors recessed their meeting until 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19. Feb. 18 is a local, state and federal holiday in recognition of George Washington’s birthday.