NATCHEZ — Natchez Water Works recently achieved a perfect score for its water quality and distribution systems from the Mississippi Department of Health.

City Engineer and Natchez Water Works Superintendent David Gardner said Monday the operation scored a perfect five after its annual evaluation last week. The perfect score is nothing new for Natchez Water Works, which achieved a perfect five last year.

Gardner said MSDH evaluates financial records in addition to preventative maintenance, storage levels, water sampling and public supply among other criteria.

Gardner said when he was hired by the City of Natchez, Natchez Water Works scored four points out of the possible five.

“This year we really did a good job,” Gardner said. “Water is something you can easily take for granted, but it involves a lot of good planning from the commission to the men who put in the water pipes. It’s a joint effort.”

Natchez Water Works provides both water and sewer service for the City of Natchez. The operation produces more than 1 billion gallons of water annually.