Mississippi Governor declared a state of emergency in Jackson as the ongoing water crisis worsens.
The state declared an emergency for Jackson residents as it begins distribution of drinking and non-drinking water to up to 180,000 city residents. Governor Tate Reeves says that the ongoing water crisis threatens “critical needs” and has no end in sight.
Long-standing water issues and this week’s flooding is to blame for the water crisis. The governor confirmed that there is not enough water pressure to fight fires, flush toilets and meet other critical needs.
The floods of the Pearl river after heavy rains have caused a dangerous situation for Jackson citizens. According to Jackson’s Mayor, the rains last week affected treatment processes and therefore the amount of running water the system can provide.
The crisis:
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba hopes this latest crisis will spur the government to address the city’s deteriorating water treatment infrastructure.
“I have said on multiple occasions that it’s not a matter of ‘if’ our system would fail, but a matter of ‘when’ our system would fail,” the mayor added, confirming that the city has been “going at it alone for the better part of two years”.
The fallout:
As a result of the weakened water supply, public schools will be virtual as of Tuesday. “Please stay safe. Do not drink the water. In too many cases, it is raw water from the reservoir being pushed through the pipes,” Reeves told Jackson residents Monday. “Be smart, protect yourself, protect your family” read the latest announcement for residents.
The mayor has recently expressed gratitude “for the support that we are now receiving from the state.” President Biden spoke on the water crisis in Jackson and shared that the White House has been “in regular contact with state and local officials, including Mayor Lumumba, and made clear that the Federal Government stands ready to offer assistance.”