For four long years, Misty Hall lived in a state of constant anxiety. Her home in Jefferson County, Arkansas, was plagued by a failing septic system that had become a relentless source of stress.

The system was not only leaking into her backyard but also backing up into her house, making even the simplest daily tasks an ordeal. The situation worsened after her husband Jimmy passed away in 2021, leaving her to manage their household alone, along with caring for her disabled son. With a limited income and mounting bills, Misty felt like she was drowning in problems with no lifeline in sight.

“Our plumbing here is really old,” Misty said. “I just moved in about 2013, and by 2017, the septic tank collapsed.”

Despite her efforts, including applying for a USDA Rural Development Grant, she couldn’t find a way to fix the problem. When Jimmy passed away, the burden of maintaining the household fell entirely on her shoulders, causing her credit score to nosedive.

“I was working hard (to improve my credit score),” Misty said. “Then after Jimmy died, I had to take on all the bills, and I watched my credit plummet 100 points in like three days.”

Misty and her family were forced to endure sewage backing up into their home. Eventually, the first bathroom completely shut down, forcing everyone to share the remaining bathroom.

“It was tough,” Misty said. “It got so bad.”

As things grew increasingly dire, Misty stumbled upon Communities Unlimited (CU) through an internet search. Desperate for help, she reached out and was connected with Chris Ranniger, a Senior Economic Development Loan Officer, who also handles CU’s environmental loans.

From the moment they began working together, Chris provided the guidance and support she so desperately needed.

“He guided me through the process, gave me a lot of encouragement, and didn’t let me give up.”

Misty applied for a loan from CU to cover a perc test, install a new septic system, and allow for contingencies. A perc test, short for percolation test, is an assessment conducted on soil to determine its ability to absorb and filter water. It’s essential for installing a septic system, as it measures the rate at which water seeps into the ground.

Soon thereafter, Misty’s loan was approved. But even after securing the funds, the journey wasn’t without its hurdles. Continuous rain delayed the installation of the new septic system, further testing Misty’s patience and resolve.

“Chris was right there telling me, ‘Have patience. It’s going to happen,’” Misty said.

Finally, after months of waiting, Robert Morris from Morris Septic Tanks & Service in Pine Bluff installed the new septic system in early August 2024. The sense of relief Misty felt was immediate and profound.

“It feels wonderful,” Misty said. “It’s enough stress off of me that I’ve got a smile on my face again. If it wasn’t for y’all, we’d probably be hitting the backyard by now.”

For the first time in years, she can sleep soundly at night, knowing that one of her biggest worries has been resolved.

“I had my first real good night’s sleep once I knew it was going to happen,” Misty said.

Through the support of Chris and the CU Lending Team, Misty has regained not just a functioning septic system but also a renewed sense of stability and hope for the future.

“I can’t say enough good things about you guys,” Misty said.

“I’ve been four years without a septic system, and now, thanks to the help of Communities Unlimited, I finally have a new one.”

Chris shared that working with Misty was a memorable experience. Despite the challenges, they managed to secure the funding she needed. Misty was cooperative, providing all the required information, and remained patient and positive throughout the process.

“I was so happy when Misty told me that she was able to get it fixed,” Chris said. “She was excited and thankful. She made me feel like I had truly made an impact on the well-being of her life.”