Tryon could get started soon on investigating problems in its sewer system, particularly in the eastside neighborhood.

The town received a $40,000 grant from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center to&bsp; identify and map areas of the towns wastewater system that have problems with infiltration by rain and groundwater.

The grant was one of 20, totaling $4.3 million, awarded by the center this week to create jobs and address clean water needs throughout the state.

Tryon decided to apply for the grant after discussing continuing problems on East Howard Street. The state fined the town about $7,000 last December for overflows in the E. Howard Street area, and additional fines are expected as overflows in the area are expected to continue.

The N.C. Rural Center grant will allow the town to do inflow and infiltration studies throughout the town, starting in the East Howard Street area. The town will be required to match the grant with $20,000, which council included in the budget for this fiscal year, which began on July 1.

The town has been working with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for some time in an attempt to resolve problems in the Eastside neighborhood with wastewater overflowing. DENR officials recommended the town&bsp; apply for the rural center grant.

The studies will include smoke testing and cameras to locate the problems. Council members have said once the problem areas are located, the town could create a capital improvement plan to provide funding to repair the problems.

The rural center grants were approved on June 30 after being made possible by appropriations of the N.C. General Assembly. The grants are aimed at assisting communities in 17 rural counties to create 357 jobs.