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 application for the grant program failed to consider the dire need for costly improvements to the largest water system in the state, and that created a “disparate impact on the Black residents who live in the drastically underfunded city of Jackson.” The state has been slow in sending money to Jackson, the center said. In response to questions from The Associated Press on Friday, department spokesperson Jan Schaefer said the funding approved for Jackson is for two wastewater projects and five projects to improve the drinking water system. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s complaint to the Treasury Department is the latest of several efforts to bring federal pressure to force improvements for the Jackson water system.

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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 …

Racial bias did not shape Mississippi’s water funding decisions for capital city, EPA says
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Racial bias did not shape Mississippi’s water funding decisions for capital city, EPA says

Associated Press  

— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it found “insufficient evidence” that racial discrimination shaped decisions made by two Mississippi agencies about water system funding for the state’s majority-Black capital city of Jackson. One thing remains clear — racial discrimination and neglect have left a majority Black, capital city in crisis.” Johnson said the NAACP hopes Mississippi government leaders will …

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 …

Lawmaker: Power struggle is ‘decapitation’ of Black-run city
1 year, 10 months ago

Lawmaker: Power struggle is ‘decapitation’ of Black-run city

Associated Press  

— Black lawmakers in Mississippi are denouncing efforts by the majority-white and Republican-led state Legislature to grab power from the majority-Black and Democratic-led capital city of Jackson. “The actions being taken by our legislative leadership amount to a symbolic decapitation of Black elected leadership,” Democratic Sen. John Horhn of Jackson said Wednesday during a Legislative Black Caucus news conference. Bills …

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 …

DOJ appointee releases new plan for ‘tenuous’ Jackson water
1 year, 10 months ago

DOJ appointee releases new plan for ‘tenuous’ Jackson water

Associated Press  

— The interim manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to reform the troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city released a new financial plan Friday to change the way Jackson bills for water and spend hundreds of millions of federal relief funds paying down the system’s debt. On Friday, Henifin said the city’s past challenges with water meters …

Federal money driving Jackson water bill, DOJ appointee says
1 year, 10 months ago

Federal money driving Jackson water bill, DOJ appointee says

Associated Press  

— A bill before the Mississippi Legislature that would transfer the capital city’s troubled water system to a new regional entity could be motivated by a desire by state officials to access a large pot of federal dollars earmarked for the city, Jackson’s federally appointed water operator said Wednesday. The legislation advancing in the state Senate proposes the eventual transfer …

Water system in Mississippi’s Capital could get new owners
1 year, 10 months ago

Water system in Mississippi’s Capital could get new owners

Associated Press  

— Jackson’s troubled water system could get a new set of owners under legislation advanced Tuesday by Republican lawmakers in Mississippi. “So whether we like it or not, we’ve got a problem we need to act on here.” The bill, introduced by Parker, would transfer water, wastewater and storm water services provided by Jackson to a new public utility district’s …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Funds to aid Jackson’s water system held up as governor rose
2 years, 2 months ago

Funds to aid Jackson’s water system held up as governor rose

Associated Press  

— Years before people in Jackson were recently left without running water for several days, Mississippi Gov. Jackson-area lawmakers say the troubled water system is one example of Jackson’s status as a political punching bag for Republican officials, who control the Legislature and the state Bond Commission. At a September news conference, Reeves said water service was restored to most …

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 …

Lawsuit seeks repairs to troubled Mississippi water system
2 years, 3 months ago

Lawsuit seeks repairs to troubled Mississippi water system

Associated Press  

— A new class-action lawsuit seeks to force Mississippi’s capital city to fix its troubled water system, including removal or repair of pipes and equipment contaminated with lead. Most of Jackson’s 150,000 residents lost running water for several days in late August and early September after heavy rainfall exacerbated problems in the city’s main treatment plant. At that time, the …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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