It’s back to square one with the city’s plans to install an auxiliary waterline.

The board made the right decision Nov. 25 to cancel its contract with IMS Engineering and announce plans to take another look at the project that is supposed to provide a backup water system for the city. As North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield put it, “we’re moving in another direction.” Let’s hope it takes the city less time to get moving than the first attempt at building an auxiliary line.

The push for a backup main waterline came in 2010, after a landslide at the construction site of the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Center threatened the city’s main waterline, raising fears and concerns on the part of city officials over how the city would get water if the main line were severed. IMS was hired under the administration of former Mayor Paul Winfield, but that was about the extent of the progress on the line until Mayor George Flaggs Jr. revived it in early 2014 and got discussions between the city and the other affected parties going.

The biggest problem with the project, besides getting the necessary permits, may have been the projected route of the project, which took it across the Vicksburg National Military Park, and led to the bids for the project running more than double its estimated $3.565 million budget — from a high of $8.57 million to a low of $7.329 million. Given the enormous costs, the city had no choice but to punt and try again.

And the question now is where are we headed? The first priority is to hire another engineer. The second is finding a new route for the line. Flaggs believes there are other feasible alternative routes, one taking the line south on Washington Street. As for the project engineer, board members hinted they may have someone in mind, but would not discuss names.

But perhaps the most important issue is the board moving forward as soon as possible with hiring a new engineer and designating a route. If Vicksburg wants to become the tourist destination our city leaders keep talking about, a backup waterline is essential. You can’t attract or retain tourists — or residents — if the city has a reputation for poor utility service.

It’s time to get this show on the road and get done as soon as possible. Too much of our future is tied to it.