For years, Ronnie Dalton of Coldwater, Mississippi — a small town of just over 1,300 residents in rural Tate County in the northwestern part of the state — lived without dependable access to clean water. Like many communities in the Mississippi Delta and surrounding regions, Coldwater faces persistent economic challenges, including high poverty rates and limited access to basic infrastructure.

Ronnie’s old well — once part of a small community system — had deteriorated over time, producing water that looked more like rust than something safe to drink.

“The water would just get red-looking every once in a while,” Ronnie said. “You couldn’t drink it. If I didn’t run it at least once a week, it’d look like rusty water running out of the pipe.”

Eventually, he had no choice but to rely on a neighbor for drinking water. That became his routine for years — until a conversation with his daughter-in-law opened the door to a solution.

She had been gathering applications for well assistance when she came across Communities Unlimited (CU) and its Household Water Well and Septic System Loan Program. She passed the information to Ronnie, and he made the call.

Ronnie was connected with Chris Ranniger, Senior Economic Development Loan Officer at CU, who works with rural residents to finance critical water and septic system improvements. Ronnie said the process was simple and supportive from start to finish.

“They worked with me any way they could to help me get this done,” he said. “Every time I called, they answered. If I had a question, they’d answer it for me. As soon as I got everything turned in, they got me approved and got my well put in. If it wasn’t for them, I probably still wouldn’t have a well.”

CU approved the loan on January 6, 2025, and closed a week later. Shortly after, Smith Well Drilling & Service arrived and completed the installation in just two days.

The result? Ronnie finally had a properly working well.

“It tastes great,” he said of the water the new well produces. “It’s crystal clear.”

“It’s a blessing to have it because if you ain’t got it and you had to drink it, it’s a lot of trouble,” he said. “I’m thankful I found out about y’all to help me get it done.”

Now, Ronnie is spreading the word.

“I’ve been putting the word out since I got this new well done,” he said. “They ask me about it, and I tell them about y’all.”

His advice for others facing similar issues?

“Work with them and find a good well driller. There’s nothing like having good drinking water and not having to haul it.”

And his parting words?

“Y’all blessed me with a new well,” Ronnie said. “I appreciate what you all have done for me.”