Officials in Jackson, Mississippi, announced an order for all residents with city water to boil their water after the system experienced pressure drops due to pipes bursting and freezing over Christmas.
“Due to the loss of system pressure, the City of Jackson Water/Sewer Utilities Division has issued a boil water advisory until further notice for ALL SURFACE WATER CONNECTIONS,” a statement read. posted on the city’s website. “This advisory includes surface water connections in Byram and Hinds County.”
A public health crisis in and around the city of Jackson, Mississippi began in late August 2022 after the Pearl River flooded due to a water main system failure.
(Joy Addison/FNC)
The boil order comes months after the water system experienced a partial collapse.
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In late August, torrential rains and flooding from the Pearl River exacerbated problems at one of Jackson’s two treatment plants, causing a drop in pressure throughout the city, where the more than 150,000 residents already had a order to boil the water due to poor quality. .
By the first week of September, water pressure had been restored for most residents, even though the boil order was still in effect. It was feared at the time that the pipes could burst as water pressure was restored.
Firefighters and recruits from the Jackson, Mississippi Fire Department carry cases of bottled water to residents’ vehicles, August 18, 2022, as part of the city’s response to longstanding water system problems.
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Boil orders are currently in effect due to concerns that low pressure could allow contaminants into the water.
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“The system has lost pressure due to unidentified faults in the distribution system,” Jackson officials said. “Some areas may experience little to no water pressure. The OB Curtis and JH Fewell Water Treatment Plants will continue to work to maximize production to restore pressure to as much of the system as possible.”
The city reiterated that the boil order is for all surface water connections and does not refer to well water connections.
Members of the Mississippi National Guard carry boxes of drinking water and a bottle of hand sanitizer to residents of Jackson, Mississippi, on Friday, September 2, 2022, at Smith Wills Stadium. Jackson’s water system partially failed after flooding and heavy rains exacerbated longstanding problems at one of two water treatment plants, and the state is assisting with the distribution of clean water to city residents.
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
To help, the city distributed bottled water at the corner of Northside Drive and Manhattan Road near Smillow Prep in North Jackson and on McDowell Road in South Jackson at Christmas time.
The water was provided by the Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition in partnership with the City of Jackson.
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Residents of Clarkesville, Georgia, were also advised to boil their water at Christmas. The areas in question are along Rocky Branch Road, between Washington Street and Gabrels Drive, and along Jefferson Street between Rocky Branch Road and the Clarkesville Presbyterian Church.
Residents are advised to boil the water for two minutes and allow it to cool before drinking.
