NATCHEZ — A multi-million dollar project in the works could provide much needed water to Rentech and cash for a yet-to-be-named second party.

The Natchez-Adams County Environmental Infrastructure/Alluvial Lateral Aquifer Development Project would tap an aquifer under the Mississippi River bed that would be used to supply Rentech with water.

Wednesday the Adams County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in support of Rentech’s plan.

But Rentech Director of Project Development Dennis Korn said the project has the potential to benefit more than just Rentech.

Korn said Rentech envisions the water supplying the needs of any other industrial developments near the port.

And Rentech won’t be managing the water either.

“It would be a public works project with Rentech as a major customer,” he said.

While the plan is still in the early stages, several entities could act as owner-operator of the water plant.

Korn named Adams County, the City of Natchez and the St. Catherine’s Creek Utility Authority as possible recipients of the grants.

And not only is the project big, but it’s expensive.

Korn said initial estimates for the project give it a $24 million price tag.

But just where that money comes from remains to be seen.

Korn said Rentech will essentially use the county, the city or another entity to apply for federal grants to fund the work.

Rentech has already made a request to Sen. Thad Cochran’s office for $1.2 million in grants for a feasibility study.

While Korn said he did not know how Cochran’s office would chose to allocate that money, he felt funding for the feasibility study would likely go to Mississippi Sate University for the school to conduct the study.

“That still needs to be sorted out with the government,” he said.

Once fully operational Rentech’s $4.5 billion plant, to be located at the former International Paper mill, will make 25,000 barrels a day of clean-burning diesel fuel.

Korn said it’s still to soon to know how much river water will be needed to keep the plant running.

The water from the aquifer is sand-filtered and should not need additional filtering before use, Korn said.

Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton said he has seen Rentech’s proposal and expects the board of aldermen to adopt a similar resolution of support next week.

“I don’t see any problems with it,” he said.

The project currently has no start or end date.