Mar 14, 2021 - Energy & Climate

Many in Jackson, Mississippi without water a month after weather outage

Maria Arias

Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images — A volunteer grabs a gallon of water at a water and food distribution drive on March 7, 2021 in Jackson, Miss. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A winter storm has revealed issues in Jackson, Miss.' aging water supply system, leaving thousands of residents without water service since mid-February, NBC News reports.

Why it matters: While water supply has been a recurring challenge for Jackson residents, "this year’s outage is one of the worst in recent history," NBC writes. It would take hundreds of millions of dollars to restructure the system to make it resilient enough to withstand harsh climate, mayor Chokwe Lumumba told the outlet.

Driving the news: Jackson Public Works Director Charles Williams has tried to lobby for more funding from the state to make improvements on the current infrastructure, which still uses pipes that "predate the Great Depression."

Lumumba describes the current system as “peanut brittle”-like.

Where it stands: Water distribution has almost fully been restored, yet there's still a boil-water notice in place, according to CNN.

For the notice to be lifted, the Mississippi State Health Department must evaluate over 120 samples of water from various locations throughout Jackson and mark them safe for 2 consecutive days, per CNN.
The city hopes to lift the notice by next week.

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Many in Jackson, Mississippi without water a month after weather outage

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