DeSoto County has accepted a $16 million bid for construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.

The bid was awarded to Max Foote Construction Co. of Birmingham, Ala.

B.J. Paige, chairman of the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority Board, says all five submitted bids were higher than expected and were likely affected by fuel and material costs.

Construction is expected to take 18 months. The plant will be located on 40 acres off U.S. Highway 61

Paige says DCRUA will borrow $6 million through the Mississippi Development Authority to assist with construction costs.

Paige says the plant will handle at least 2 million gallons a day but could be configured to handle peak flows of 4 million gallons a day.