As the storm of confusion circles around the City of Natchez and its budget woes, one of its quasi-government arms — the Natchez Water Works — seems to abound with good news lately.

Natchez Water Works was approved for a subsidized, low-interest loan of just more than $5 million to improve wastewater infrastructure.

The project will construct a sludge dewatering facility and solar drying chambers. Essentially, the structures will allow sludge to be turned into an agricultural fertilizer instead of having to go into a landfill.

Perhaps the best part of this is that 85 percent of the loan will be paid for with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the federal stimulus bill. Natchez Water Works will get a $5 million project and only have to pay $762,000.

We’ve been somewhat critical of the stimulus act — and still are — as much of the stimulus act funding seems to have simply been increased earmarks for existing social programs.

Funding those type of programs doesn’t help our country long-term.

Investing in infrastructure items — especially those that either help reduce our energy needs or clean up the environment — is wise use of the funds.

The Natchez Water Works’ project seems to be a good fit, marrying infrastructure with a cleaner environment.

We’re happy to see the Natchez Water Works pursuing such a loan and even more happy that Water Works continues to be forward thinking in both keeping the city’s water and sewage systems running well and also seeking ways to reduce local costs.

The crew at Water Works seems to be a stable crew while others struggle in the storm.