Paxton Water Supply dedicates New Jackson Well

• In a humorous gesture of providing proof of water flow from the new well, PWSC President Eric Garrett opened the valve for everyone to see. Leon Aldridge|The Light and Champion
• President Eric L. Garrett (left) and (left to right) Shelby County Commissioners Tom Bellmyer, Roscoe McSwain, and Stevie Lout dedicated the new Paxton Water Supply well Friday, Feb. 16, and “officially” turned on the water. Leon Aldridge|The Light and Champion

Paxton Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) officials celebrated the completion of a new well Friday, Feb. 16. The well is located on CR 181 just off Hwy 7 east of Center and referenced as New Jackson Well.

PWSC President Eric Garrett thanked those in attendance and expressed appreciation to the PWSC board of directors, county officials, and everyone involved in getting the new well drilled and operational.

He praised the efforts of Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison who also offered remarks. “This is the kind of thing that I wanted to see happen. I wanted to see rural Texas; rural Shelby County benefitting from (American Rescue Plan Act) tax dollars that are given. So, I am so excited … we got this off the ground, and I know it was painful, but it was needed.”

Garrett also recognized County Treasurer Ann Blackwell, Center Mayor Pro Tem Leigh Porterfield, County Auditor Clint Porterfield, County Attorney John Price, and Shelb County Commissioners Roscoe McSwain, Jimmy Lout, Stevie Smith, and Tom Bellmyer.

Smith was noted in Garrett’s remarks. “Stevie’s put in a lot of time apart from commissioners court work, not just in planning, but also in executing what has taken place here.”

He also expressed appreciation for the Oates family who donated additional land required by the state on which to drill the well after having already donated land initially.

Garrett added appreciation for many others, saying that he feared leaving out someone. “Everybody that’s been involved in this project, and it’s taken a whole lot longer than I thought it would, and we’re not there yet but we’re well underway and we wouldn’t be anywhere if it were not for all of you.”

Recalling the 2021 freeze that caused widespread water supply problems, Garrett recalled a water supply customer’s statement. “I’d give $100 a month right now just to be able to turn the tap on and water come out.”

The PWSC president also commented on how Texas relies on water possibly more than other states with agriculture, poultry, manufacturing, tourism, stating, “All of that requires a good stable water supply.”

Garrett said that every PWSC customer owes a great deal of appreciation for the support that has been received in making the project happen.

“I just want to say thank you to all of you for your support, for your encouragement over the past year in putting all this together,” Garrett concluded.