KEMP -- Progress in solving the city's water problems appears to be in sight as neighboring officials lend a hand to the small town near Cedar Creek Lake. The West Municipal Utility District in Tool and the Kaufman County Commissioners Court are pitching in to help ensure Kemp's water tank never goes dry again. That's what happened in 2011 at the height of the summer drought and heat wave when residents literally ran out of water. Water was trucked into downtown Kemp for residents to pick up drinking water. Kemp's aging, debt-laden water system can no longer be maintained to meet the city's needs. Now city officials in cooperation with other officials are racing to hook up the city with the WMUD operation. The item appears monthly on the agendas of both the Kemp City Council and WMUD. Recently, the Kaufman County Commissioners Court gave right-of-way permission for the construction of a water line along county roads. That saved about a year's time and more than $100,000 by eliminating the need for Kemp and WMUD to negotiate with private property owners over right-of-way privileges. Kemp officials said the last hurdle involves the management of the city's debt service on its water system, but they said they are confident it will be accomplished. Officials for the U.S. Department of Agriculture reportedly have advised city officials there is no grant money available for assistance with the project. The project could not be accomplished without the help of Kaufman County and WMUD officials, who note they are equally committed to making sure Kemp's water tank never goes dry again.