Burst pipes in Jackson, Mississippi, are just the latest of the city's water woes
1 year, 11 months ago

Burst pipes in Jackson, Mississippi, are just the latest of the city's water woes

NPR  

Burst pipes in Jackson, Mississippi, are just the latest of the city's water woes Enlarge this image toggle caption Rogelio V. Solis/AP Rogelio V. Solis/AP When Jackson, Miss., Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba appeared before cameras and microphones earlier this week, he was there to deliver another grim report on the city's troubled water system, which officials have been struggling for months to patch while they plan for a more permanent fix. Freezing temperatures add to existing water problems This time, the problem is different, says Brian Smith, the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Branch chief for Region 4, which covers Mississippi. Four years ago, that distribution system experienced 10 water line breaks per mile per year, says Dennis Truax, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Mississippi State University. Sponsor Message That has contributed to what Erik Olson, the senior strategic director for health and food at the Natural Resources Defense Council, has said is "decades of disinvestment in the city's water infrastructure."

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History of this topic

Water crisis in Mississippi capital developed during failures in oversight, watchdog says
4 months, 1 week ago

Water crisis in Mississippi capital developed during failures in oversight, watchdog says

Associated Press  

— “Layers of inadequate oversight and enforcement” by state and federal agencies contributed to a water crisis in Mississippi’s capital city that left tens of thousands of people without safe drinking water for weeks in 2021 and 2022, a watchdog agency says. The Mississippi State Department of Health did not consistently document deficiencies in the Jackson water system or notify …

Long-unpaid bills lead to some water service cutoffs in Mississippi’s capital city
5 months, 1 week ago

Long-unpaid bills lead to some water service cutoffs in Mississippi’s capital city

Associated Press  

— Water service is being shut off at some apartment complexes in Mississippi’s capital city because of long-unpaid bills, the company that runs the Jackson water system said Wednesday. JXN Water said in a statement that it has made “major strides in improving the consistency and reliability” of water flowing to customers in the city of about 144,000 residents. “We …

Mississippi’s capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor people
1 year, 1 month ago

Mississippi’s capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor people

Associated Press  

— The manager of the long-troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city proposed a slight rate increase for most residents Friday alongside what he said is a first-in-the-nation proposal to reduce water rates for low-income people who get government help with grocery bills. To increase revenue collections without burdening those who can’t afford higher bills, Henifin’s proposal creates a new …

Mississippi’s capital only collects 56% of fees from its struggling water system
1 year, 6 months ago

Mississippi’s capital only collects 56% of fees from its struggling water system

Associated Press  

— Mississippi’s capital is collecting only a little more than half of the money it bills for water use, far below the rate at which most American cities obtain such fees, Jackson’s federally appointed water manager said Monday. Ted Henifin, appointed in November by a federal court to help improve Jackson’s troubled water system, told reporters the city is collecting …

Mississippi impeding funds for Jackson’s water, group says
1 year, 7 months ago

Mississippi impeding funds for Jackson’s water, group says

Associated Press  

— Mississippi has intentionally created hurdles that prevent the majority-Black capital city of Jackson from receiving enough money to repair a long-troubled water system that nearly collapsed last year, the Southern Poverty Law Center said Friday in announcing a new civil rights complaint it filed. Southern Poverty Law Center said in the complaint, which it filed Tuesday, that the state’s …

Jackson water system a step closer to getting new owners
1 year, 10 months ago

Jackson water system a step closer to getting new owners

Associated Press  

— Jackson’s troubled water system could be one step closer to getting new owners after legislation passed the state Senate Tuesday. The bill would transfer ownership of Jackson’s water system to a new regional public entity overseen by a nine-member board — with the majority appointed by state leaders. Parker said he introduced the bill to establish how the water …

Amid Mississippi water woes, proposal could unseat mayors
1 year, 11 months ago

Amid Mississippi water woes, proposal could unseat mayors

Associated Press  

— As Mississippi’s capital city of Jackson struggles with water problems and its Democratic mayor clashes with the Republican governor, lawmakers debated a proposal Wednesday that would allow recall elections for municipal officials in the state. Under Yates’ proposal, a recall election for a mayor would be held if at least 30% of a city’s registered voters sign a petition …

Even Mississippi lawmaker feels strain of Jackson water woes
1 year, 11 months ago

Even Mississippi lawmaker feels strain of Jackson water woes

Associated Press  

— In Mississippi’s capital city, where intermittent periods without running water have become a fact of life for residents, a new disruption to the long-troubled water system persists just days before lawmakers are set to arrive for the state’s 2023 legislative session. “I’m normally very optimistic in pretty much all situations, but this latest water situation is getting the best …

Deep freeze breaks pipes, creates water crisis across South
1 year, 11 months ago

Deep freeze breaks pipes, creates water crisis across South

Associated Press  

— Days of freezing temperatures in Deep South areas that usually freeze for only hours are threatening dozens of water systems as burst pipes leak millions of gallons of water. Dozens of water systems either had boil advisories in place because of low pressure or warned of bigger catastrophes if leaks from broken pipes weren’t found and water shut off. …

Winter freeze strains pipes, water infrastructure in US South
1 year, 11 months ago

Winter freeze strains pipes, water infrastructure in US South

Al Jazeera  

US city of Jackson, Mississippi, is once again under a boil-water advisory after months of unsafe drinking water. “It’s death by a thousand cuts,” Mike Saia, a water system spokesperson for the city of Charleston, South Carolina, told WCSC-TV. “Please check your businesses and churches for leaks and broken pipes, as these add up tremendously and only worsen the problem,” …

Water pressure ‘fluctuating’ in Jackson amid frigid weather
1 year, 11 months ago

Water pressure ‘fluctuating’ in Jackson amid frigid weather

Associated Press  

— The water system in Jackson, Mississippi, which partially collapsed in late August, was experiencing “fluctuating” pressure impacting residents on Saturday amid frigid temperatures, officials said. As the temperature remained below freezing, production slowed at one of the city’s water treatment plants while officials worked to correct the pressure drop they believed was caused by leaks and water line breaks. …

$600M designated for struggling water system in Mississippi
2 years ago

$600M designated for struggling water system in Mississippi

Associated Press  

— The federal government will put $600 million toward repairing the troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city — a project that the mayor has said could cost billions of dollars. “As families begin to gather for the holiday season, today’s action providing emergency funding to address the fundamental need of safe drinking water for every household in Jackson should …

Q&A: How Ted Henifin plans to fix Jackson’s water system
2 years ago

Q&A: How Ted Henifin plans to fix Jackson’s water system

Associated Press  

— The manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to help fix the long-troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital has an expansive list of reforms on his plate. Henifin will spend the next year managing Jackson’s water system after the Justice Department won a federal judge’s approval to carry out a rare intervention to fix the city’s water system, …

What’s behind Jackson, Mississippi’s continuing water crisis?
2 years ago

What’s behind Jackson, Mississippi’s continuing water crisis?

Al Jazeera  

Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the mayor of the US city, says the crisis is a consequence of ‘issues of environmental racism’. Following floods that overwhelmed Mississippi state capital’s water treatment facility in August, the city’s approximately 160,000 residents have regularly lacked access to safe drinking water and, in some cases, running water at all. However, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba says …

EPA leader listens to water concerns in Mississippi capital
2 years, 1 month ago

EPA leader listens to water concerns in Mississippi capital

Associated Press  

— EPA Administrator Michael Regan said Tuesday that the agency is still working on a plan to bring long-term improvements to the water system in Mississippi’s capital city, which came perilously close to collapsing more than two months ago. The EPA announced Oct. 20 that it had started investigating whether Mississippi state agencies discriminated against Jackson by refusing to fund …

Mississippi capital to receive $35.6M in federal water funds
2 years, 1 month ago

Mississippi capital to receive $35.6M in federal water funds

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Miss — Mississippi officials on Friday approved the city of Jackson’s request for $35.6 million in federal funds to help fix its crumbling water infrastructure, following this summer’s flooding-induced breakdowns that left 150,000 people without running water for days. The Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure Grant Program approved the full amount the state’s capital city requested to pay …

Mississippi governor extends Jackson water emergency order
2 years, 1 month ago

Mississippi governor extends Jackson water emergency order

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Miss — Mississippi Gov. Reeves and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba have traded barbs over how much control the state and city will have to decide on a private firm to operate Jackson’s water system over the long term. Jackson’s water system has been beset by problems for decades, and the latest troubles began in late August after heavy …

Congress probes Jackson water crisis as city and state spar
2 years, 2 months ago

Congress probes Jackson water crisis as city and state spar

Associated Press  

— Congress is investigating the crisis that left 150,000 people in Mississippi’s capital city without running water for several days in late summer, according to a letter sent to Gov. Reps. Bennie Thompson, of Mississippi, and Carolyn Maloney, of New York, sent the letter Monday requesting information on how Mississippi plans to spend $10 billion from the American Rescue Plan …

EPA preparing plan to help fix Jackson’s water system
2 years, 2 months ago

EPA preparing plan to help fix Jackson’s water system

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Miss — The federal government wants to work with officials in Mississippi’s capital city to reach a legal agreement that ensures Jackson can sustain its water system in the future, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said Monday. At the meeting with Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and U.S. Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim, Regan said the federal government …

Governor: Mississippi capital’s water is again safe to drink
2 years, 3 months ago

Governor: Mississippi capital’s water is again safe to drink

Associated Press  

— After nearly seven weeks of being forced to boil their water before drinking it or using it to brush teeth, people in Mississippi’s largest city were told Thursday that water from the tap is safe to consume — but Jackson’s water system still needs big repairs that the mayor says the cash-strapped city cannot afford on its own. However, …

The crisis in Jackson shows how climate change is threatening water supplies
2 years, 3 months ago

The crisis in Jackson shows how climate change is threatening water supplies

NPR  

The crisis in Jackson shows how climate change is threatening water supplies Enlarge this image toggle caption Brad Vest/Getty Images Brad Vest/Getty Images The crisis that has hit Jackson, Miss., highlights the fragility of water systems across the country that will be increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the coming years. "The drought really pushed us to …

Water Crisis In Jackson Has A History : Consider This from NPR : NPR
2 years, 3 months ago

Water Crisis In Jackson Has A History : Consider This from NPR : NPR

NPR  

In Jackson, Mississippi, A Water Crisis Decades In The Making Enlarge this image toggle caption SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images For more than a month, residents of Jackson, Mississippi, have not had access to safe drinking water. The city is under a boil water advisory after problems with the pumps at the city's main water …

Jackson's water crisis is another Hurricane Katrina moment
2 years, 3 months ago

Jackson's water crisis is another Hurricane Katrina moment

Salon  

It's a cruel irony that the same week of the anniversary of one of the worst disasters in our nation's history – Hurricane Katrina — there's another one unfolding in Jackson. So what have Mississippi's leaders been up to for the past few years instead of putting their time and attention toward repairing critical water infrastructure? Rewind to 2014, when …

EXPLAINER: Mississippi capital’s water woes are extensive
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: Mississippi capital’s water woes are extensive

Associated Press  

— Mississippi’s capital city is struggling with the near collapse of its water system, prompting emergency declarations from President Joe Biden and Gov. Jackson has dangerously low water pressure this week, and many of the city’s 150,000 residents have been without water flowing from their faucets. Problems started days after torrential rain fell in central Mississippi, altering the quality of …

Mississippi capital’s water disaster developed over decades
2 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi capital’s water disaster developed over decades

Associated Press  

— For at least the third time in a dozen years, portable toilets are parked outside the ornate Mississippi Capitol because Jackson’s water system is in crisis. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said fixing the problems could cost billions of dollars — far beyond Jackson’s ability to pay. “Operational unity means that we’re focused more on our common ends and objectives …

Jackson water crisis forces residents to find alternatives
2 years, 3 months ago

Jackson water crisis forces residents to find alternatives

Associated Press  

— The water pressure at James Brown’s home in Jackson was so low the faucets barely dripped. Lumumba said Jackson’s water system is troubled by short staffing and “decades of deferred maintenance.” He said the influx of water from torrential rain changed the chemical composition needed for treatment, which slowed the process of pushing water out to customers. Even before …

Mississippi capital: Water everywhere, not a drop to drink
2 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi capital: Water everywhere, not a drop to drink

Associated Press  

— Mississippi’s capital city is grappling with multiple water problems — there’s been too much on the ground after heavy rainfall in the past week, and not enough safe water coming through the pipes for people to use. Restaurant owner Derek Emerson told The Associated Press on Tuesday that water problems “are making it impossible for us to do business …

The water crisis in Jackson follows years of failure to fix an aging system
2 years, 3 months ago

The water crisis in Jackson follows years of failure to fix an aging system

NPR  

The water crisis in Jackson follows years of failure to fix an aging system Enlarge this image toggle caption Rogelio V. Solis/AP Rogelio V. Solis/AP The city of Jackson was already struggling with a deteriorating water system long before the latest rains cut off access to safe drinking water for more than 150,000 people in Mississippi's capital. Enlarge this image …

Jackson, Mississippi to go without drinking water ‘indefinitely’ after extreme flooding
2 years, 3 months ago

Jackson, Mississippi to go without drinking water ‘indefinitely’ after extreme flooding

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Jackson has two water-treatment plants, and the larger one is near a reservoir that provides most of the city’s …

Governor declares water emergency for Mississippi capital
2 years, 3 months ago

Governor declares water emergency for Mississippi capital

Associated Press  

Tate Reeves said Monday night that he is declaring a state of emergency after excessive rainfall exacerbated problems in one of Jackson’s water-treatment plants and caused low water pressure through much of the capital city. “We thank the Lord most of all for sparing so many of our residents,” Lumumba said Monday, hours before the governor spoke about the water …

Storms blamed for 3 deaths, water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi
2 years, 3 months ago

Storms blamed for 3 deaths, water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi

Al Jazeera  

The US storm deaths include a 14-year-old girl electrocuted in Michigan and an 11-year-old boy swept into a drain in Arkansas. Severe storms that brought damaging winds, heavy rains and flash flooding to parts of the Midwest and the South in the United States were blamed for the deaths of three people, while a water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi exacerbated …

Parts of Mississippi's capital remain without running water
2 years, 3 months ago

Parts of Mississippi's capital remain without running water

NPR  

Parts of Mississippi's capital remain without running water Enlarge this image toggle caption Rogelio V. Solis/AP Rogelio V. Solis/AP JACKSON, Miss. Tate Reeves said late Monday that he's declaring a state of emergency for Jackson's water system, and he issued the proclamation Tuesday. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Jackson's water system is troubled by short staffing and "decades of deferred …

City water woes delay move-in for Jackson State students
2 years, 4 months ago

City water woes delay move-in for Jackson State students

Associated Press  

— Jackson State University is delaying students’ move-in days for on-campus housing because of lingering water system problems in Mississippi’s capital city. The state Health Department put Jackson under a boil-water notice in late July because of high levels of cloudiness in the water supply. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, which serves the Jackson area, is “under a perpetual state of …

Mississippi capital city struggles with aging water system
2 years, 10 months ago

Mississippi capital city struggles with aging water system

Associated Press  

— The unreliable water system in Mississippi’s capital city causes problems several times a year at Styles of Essence hair salon, where water service can suddenly get cut off as workers repair broken pipes nearby. Owner and stylist Belinda Smith keeps more than a dozen jugs of water in the small shop in south Jackson, stashed under sinks and along …

Jackson water woes exacerbated by cold blast, broken pipes
2 years, 10 months ago

Jackson water woes exacerbated by cold blast, broken pipes

Associated Press  

— Parts of Mississippi’s capital city have had little or no water pressure in recent days because of broken pipes and problems at a water treatment plant. On Monday, low water pressure forced four Jackson public schools to have classes online instead of in person and students from four elementary schools were sent to other campuses. The city had problems …

Mississippi to receive nearly $75M in infrastructure funding
3 years ago

Mississippi to receive nearly $75M in infrastructure funding

Associated Press  

— Mississippi will receive nearly $75 million in water infrastructure funding as part of the recent bipartisan infrastructure bill, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials announced this week. It’s unclear how the money will be allocated within the state, but EPA Administrator Michael Regan said states should prioritize underserved communities, calling the law “a historic opportunity to correct longstanding environmental and …

Lawsuits: Mississippi capital city’s water harms children
3 years, 2 months ago

Lawsuits: Mississippi capital city’s water harms children

Associated Press  

— Two new lawsuits claim hundreds of children have been exposed to dangerous lead levels through the drinking water in Mississippi’s capital city, which has been facing water system problems for years. The suits, filed Tuesday in federal court in Jackson, say the city of Jackson and the state Health Department have made “conscience-shocking decisions and have shown deliberate indifference …

The Next Major Water Crisis Is Right Around the Corner
54 years, 11 months ago

The Next Major Water Crisis Is Right Around the Corner

Slate  

Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts for the full episode. After winter storms knocked out electricity there, as they did throughout the South, the damage also wreaked havoc on Jackson’s brittle water system. On Tuesday’s episode of What Next, I spoke with Nick Judin, a reporter at the Mississippi Free Press, about how Jackson became a city without water, …

Ignore Mississippi’s Water Crisis at Your Own Peril
3 years, 9 months ago

Ignore Mississippi’s Water Crisis at Your Own Peril

Slate  

For four weeks now, thousands of residents of Jackson, Mississippi, have had no potable water. Even though repairs are underway for dozens of broken water mains and other equipment, the city’s 161,000 residents remain under a boil-water advisory, and hundreds still have no running water at all. The story is similar to ones we’ve heard before: thousands of mostly Black …

Jackson, Mississippi, Residents Enter 4th Week Of Water Crisis
3 years, 9 months ago

Jackson, Mississippi, Residents Enter 4th Week Of Water Crisis

NPR  

Jackson, Mississippi, Residents Enter 4th Week Of Water Crisis It's been a month since some in Jackson, Miss., had usable running water. SCHIMMEL: All of those mundane and routine tasks people take for granted require more time and effort for the nearly 500 homes and businesses in Jackson that still have no water. SCHIMMEL: South Jackson, where the Roberts live, …

Op-Ed: Why Jackson, Miss., reminds me of Flint, Mich.
3 years, 9 months ago

Op-Ed: Why Jackson, Miss., reminds me of Flint, Mich.

LA Times  

Heavy snow and frozen rain paralyzed Madison, Miss., on Feb. 15. The City Council voted to seek legislative approval to raise its local sales tax by one penny, but Reeves, who needs to approve such an election, said, “I do think it’s really important that the city of Jackson start collecting their water bill payments before they start going and …

Water crisis continues in Mississippi, weeks after cold snap
3 years, 9 months ago

Water crisis continues in Mississippi, weeks after cold snap

Associated Press  

— Mississippi’s largest city is still struggling with water problems more than two weeks after winter storms and freezing weather ravaged the system in Jackson, knocking out water for drinking and making it impossible for many to even flush their toilets. Jackson’s water system has not been able to provide a sustainable flow of water throughout the city since the …

Water crisis continues in Mississippi after over two weeks since storms
3 years, 9 months ago

Water crisis continues in Mississippi after over two weeks since storms

Hindustan Times  

Frustrations are mounting in Mississippi’s largest city, more than two weeks since winter storms and freezing weather ravaged the city’s water system — knocking out water for drinking and making it impossible for many to even flush their toilets. “I’m not sure how much more of this we can take.” Smith has not had water at her house for nearly …

Like 'Peanut Brittle': Mississippi Water Crisis Highlights Infrastructure Problems
3 years, 9 months ago

Like 'Peanut Brittle': Mississippi Water Crisis Highlights Infrastructure Problems

NPR  

Like 'Peanut Brittle': Mississippi Water Crisis Highlights Infrastructure Problems Enlarge this image toggle caption Rogelio V. Solis/AP Rogelio V. Solis/AP Many residents of Jackson, Miss., remain without running water three weeks after a winter storm hit the city. The storm brought devastating, bitter cold to the South and hit the region's critical infrastructure hard--highlighting major vulnerabilities in the area's power …

Weekslong Water Crisis Continues In Mississippi, Hitting Black Residents Hardest
3 years, 9 months ago

Weekslong Water Crisis Continues In Mississippi, Hitting Black Residents Hardest

Huff Post  

Frigid temperatures and torrential snowfall have largely left the South after a cold front gripped the region weeks ago, but some cities are still facing dire infrastructure failures caused by the cold and their state’s lack of preparation. In recent days, Jackson, Mississippi, has also come into national focus as some parts of the majority-Black city enter day 13 of …

Some Electricity Restored In Texas, But Water Woes Grow
3 years, 10 months ago

Some Electricity Restored In Texas, But Water Woes Grow

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING AUSTIN, Texas — Power was restored to more homes and businesses Thursday in states hit by a deadly blast of winter that overwhelmed the electrical grid and left millions shivering in the cold this week. In Texas on Thursday, about 325,000 homes and businesses remained without power, down from about 3 million a day earlier, though utility …

Some electricity restored in Texas, but water woes grow
3 years, 10 months ago

Some electricity restored in Texas, but water woes grow

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Power was restored to more homes and businesses Thursday in states hit by a deadly blast of winter that overwhelmed the electrical grid and left millions shivering in the cold this week. In Texas on Thursday, about 325,000 homes and businesses remained without power, down from about 3 million a day earlier, though utility officials said limited …

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