Jackson, Mississippi, water: Gov. Tate Reeves to declare cityx state of emergency main water supply fails



CNN

Already dealing with flooded streets, residents of rain-scarred Jackson, Mississippi now compete with little or no water pressure in them homes after cityx main water treatment plant failed Monday, leaving them without enough water to flush toilets or fight fires, Gov. Tate Reeves said.

The governor said he would announce the state of emergency for largest in the state city and government agencies are trying begin water supply for 180,000 inhabitants.

cloudy water system was harassed with questions for years. February 2021 winter storm shut down all Jackson water system leaving dozens of thousands of inhabitants without water for per month during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Monday night – how the people of Jackson traded with record- the lingering rain that brought in Pearl River rises dangerously high – Reeves announced in city cannot produce running water.

“This means we don’t have reliable tap water on a large scale. It means city cannot produce enough water for fight fires, safely flush toilets and perform other critical needs,” Reeves said.

As a result the officials announced all jackson public schools will switch to virtual I study on Tuesday.

water pressure issue is on Top of boil water warning in place for in past month due to water quality problem.

Authorities have said the water is not safe to drink or use while brushing your teeth.

“Please stay safe. Don’t drink water. In too many cases, raw water from the tank is pushed through the pipes,” Reeves told Jackson residents. “Be smart, protect yourself, protect your family”.

Residents are being told to conserve the water resources they have and boil any water they can. use for three minutes.

The state is expected call in in national guard help distribute potable and non-potable water to teams work buy a water treatment plant back onlinegovernment officials said.

“Replacing our largest city infrastructure of running water with distribution of people is massive complicated logistical challenge,” Reeves said. “We need provide it for up up to 180 000 people for en unknown period of time.”

In addition to preparing for the distribution of water to residents, the state establishes up tanker system provide water for fire trucks when Jackson loses ability take water from fire hydrants, officials say.

problem stems from one of two water treatment plants in in the city, the OB Curtis plant, which run through city of Jackson, according to the governor. “OB Curtis is not operating anywhere near the container. And we can find out not tomorrow operating in general,” Reeves said.

OB Curtis should provide about 50 million gallons for in city daily. Another plant, which typically produces about 20 million gallons per day, has received permission to ramp up capacity. up its production amid shortages, authorities said.

main pumps at OB Curtis were severely damaged and the facility began operating on smaller standby pumps about a month ago, about the same time the long notice to boil water began, the governor said.

The governor said he was told on Friday that “it was almost certain that Jackson fail produce running water someday in in next a few weeks or months if things don’t improve significantly,” the governor said.

Over the weekend, state officials began organizing water distribution plans and “preparation for a scenario in which Jackson would be left without running water for en extended period.”

“All of It was with the prayer we would like more time before them system ran up to failure”, – said Reeves. “Unfortunately, that failure seems to have started today.

Mayor of Jackson, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, declared water system emergency on Monday, talking about the recent flood of Pearl River was to blame for in latest water pressure problems.

“As one crisis can be distracted, another one raises his head”, – said Lumumba during news post-flood conference in in city.

The mayor said that due to OB Curtis receiving additional water from a reservoir during the flood, the facility had to be redesigned way it treats water, resulting in a reduction of water is put out in system as well as reduced tank levels. This affects the water pressure of the residents. homeson said.

“Is not secret anyone of us that we have a very fragile wastewater treatment plant,” the mayor said, adding that the shutdown “could potentially last for several days.”

Jackson constantly challenges with its water system and some residents were already reports low or no water pressure and leakage of raw sewage in city streets and neighborhoods.

Lumumba previously told CNN about the downside of political will and years of neglect on a national the level prevented Jackson from getting help it is necessary fix water and sanitation crisis.

In addition to infrastructure problems, the plant also was faced with Personnel issues, according to the mayor and governor.

“Too far small amount of heroic soldiers tried their best to keep system together, but it is almost impossible,” the governor said.

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