FERRIDAY — The physical overhaul of the Ferriday water system could begin next month.

“I was hoping (Triton) would be here in April, but it looks like it may be May,” Mayor Glen McGlothin said.

The town executed a $2.3 million agreement in February with Triton Company that will result in the overhaul of its aging water plant and billing system.

The company is waiting for its orders of piping and water meters to arrive before beginning work, but the designs for the new water tank have been approved, McGlothin said.

The existing water tank has been deteriorating for several years, and the agreement is for Triton to replace that tank and add a second tank while completely rehabilitating the existing water plant, including installing electronic monitors to ensure accurate water treatment.

“Getting the tank is really important right now,” McGlothin said.

Though it is not part of the Triton contract, the town should also soon be starting the sister project of constructing a water retention pond.

The approval for the retention pond has to come through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, McGlothin said.

The USDA has to approve the plans for the pond because it will be built with a USDA grant that was originally designated for water plant rehabilitation, McGlothin said.

The town’s water is pumped from Old River, and in the past residents have complained that organic matter such as leaves has come through their water lines.

Though water quality has improved in recent years, the high level of organic matter means the town has to treat the water more extensively than they would have to otherwise.

The retention pond would address those issues by allowing the organic matter in the water to fall to the bottom before it is pumped into the water plant.

The Triton contract will also replace all of the water meters in town, which company officials have previously said will help the town generate $300,000 revenue a year just by making billing more accurate.