Mississippi Governor, President Biden Declare State of Emergency Over Growing Jackson Water Crisis

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday, August 30, due to the growing water crisis in Jackson.

This comes after the White House approved the Mississippi emergency declaration as residents in the state's capital would have little or no drinkable water to consume.

The sanitary problem stems due to the failure of main water plant pumps, which recent floodings have exacerbated.

Governor Reeves is asking thousands of Jackson residents not to drink the water, which is believed to be contaminated and could result in digestive problems when consumed.

As a temporary measure, Mississippi officials have set up distribution sites to provide limited supplies of bottled water for the affected residents of the city, which comprises of approximately 150,000 people.

The Jackson water crisis, which includes the absence of running water, is reportedly not an overnight issue, but rather a result of long-standing problems in one of two water-treatment plants.

In recent years, the Jackson water system had shown signs of potential infrastructural malfunctions.

Multiple reports indicated that the recent floodwaters caused by heavy rain only aggravated the existing issue.

The water crisis has resulted in low water pressure, affecting wide-range of practical usage on a daily basis.

For instance, local sources said some people are unable to take showers or even flush toilets.

Officials also said the weak pressure also raises a great concern for firefighters.

Meanwhile, people with flowing water are reportedly told to boil it to kill any bacteria that could make them sick.

Mississippi Emergency Declaration

According to the White House on Tuesday, President Biden declared than an emergency exists in Mississippi, ordering Federal assistance to support the state's response to the emergency conditions from the water crisis until further notice.

The water emergency declaration authorizes disaster relief efforts spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In addition, Mississippi will receive a portion of Federal funding in the mitigation of the crisis.

Mississippi Water Emergency

Gov. Reeves said the state will attempt to help in the resolution of the problems by employing contractors to work at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility, which was operating under reduced manpower after pumps failed "some time ago," as cited by CBS News.

Jackson Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Jackson's water system is affected by short staffing and decades-long lack of maintenance, as cited by the US media outlet.

As early as Monday, August 29, Mayor Lumumba declared a water system emergency at the said water plant, which is the city's main treatment facility and responsible for the low water pressure, AccuWeather.

In addition, local authorities linked the crisis to the flooding from the Pearl River.

In October 2021, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has found that some homes in the Jackson area have previously contained elevated levels of lead in their drinking water.