JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. is pushing the city council to approve a $90 million water and sewer improvement contract that project officials guarantee will pay for itself.

The Clarion-Ledger reports (http://on.thec-l.com/R3lRkS ) the project would be a major step toward addressing the city's water and sewer infrastructure.

The project includes four major initiatives:

Replacing the city's antiquated water meters, which is expected to generate new revenue because old meters often read low.

Upgrading the city's utility billing system.

Replacing broken equipment at the city's two water plants.

Repairing and upgrading the sewer collection system.

The city put out a request for proposals on the project earlier this year, and picked Siemens from three energy companies that applied.

Information from: The Clarion-Ledger, http://www.clarionledger.com

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