FERRIDAY &8212; After about eight years Ferriday&8217;s water suit is finally coming to an end.

At a press conference Wednesday City Attorney Derrick Carson presented Mayor Gene Allen with a check for $443,176 and another for $137,500.

The check for $443,176, Allen said would be used to pay off the debt the town owes the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its water treatment plant.

The second check, Allen said, was from U.S. Filter and Owen & White engineering firm to settle the town&8217;s cross suit against the two companies.

&8220;I told the people of Ferriday we would get our water problems straight and we&8217;re moving in that direction,&8221; Allen said.

In July 1999 several citizens filed a class action lawsuit against the town after a 124-day boil water notice inconvenienced businesses and residents.

Wednesday Allen said once the money is paid to USDA, the town would be able to access a $775,000 grant and $362,000 loan USDA appropriated to the town to upgrade or replace Ferriday&8217;s existing water treatment facility.

Allen said he would ask the board of aldermen to use the $137,500 check to reduce the USDA loan in their first regular meeting next year.

Carson said checks for $325 were also mailed out Tuesday to the citizens involved in the class action suit.

Carson said between 1,100 and 1,500 Ferriday residents would receive their checks some time this week.