One Dallas County Commissioner is continuing an effort to improve water quality in western Dallas County.

The West Dallas County Water Authority and commissioner Larry Nickels will have a community meeting at 1 p.m. at New Vernon Church in the Bogue Chitto Community — just north of Orrville on Dallas County Road 3 — to discuss switching from water wells to the West Dallas County water system. To make the switch happen, Nickels said at least 65 people need to sign up for the switch.

He said switching to the water system would provide consistent, clean water and a better quality of life for residents of rural Dallas County.

“The shallow wells are drying up in the summer time,” Nickels said. “People just aren’t able to take a bath properly, because of the sand that is coming in through the water wells. With a water system, there will also be more fire hydrants making it safer in case there is any kind of fire. Some of our volunteer fire departments have to drive several miles, while a fire is burning, just to fill up with water.”

Nickels said all residents who live on Dallas County Roads 3, 11, 29 and connecting roads around the Bogue Chitto Community are encouraged to attend.

The commission began discussing the issue in October 2013, when Bogue Chitto residents said water wells were drying up.

“When we washed our hands, it was gritty,” Bogue Chitto resident Shelly Anne Moore said in a previous interview with the Times-Journal. “We have had to have the faucet replaced because it was crammed with sand. You can’t brush your teeth, because there is sand in the water.”

The West Dallas County Water Authority’s source is two deep-water wells. When the water authority previously attempted to extend its line through Bogue Chitto, it stopped short at Salem School — approximately three miles away — because of resident’s requests.

A contract with the water authority would require a 60-month commitment and a small application fee. The base monthly amount is $23 per person.