Mississippi News
Jackson water: Issues with treatment and hot weather
Boil and conserve: Treatment issues and hot weather put strain on Jackson water
A combination of an ammonia leak and improper water treatment has forced all of Jackson’s water customers to boil their water for nearly two weeks straight now. Those boil water notices came only days after the city asked residents to conserve what water they were using because of hotter than average weather.
City of Jackson officials on Thursday did not have a definitive timeline for lifting the boil water notice, but said the service may be back to fully functioning as early as Friday for well system customers, and as early as Saturday for surface system customers.
Officials issued the first citywide notice on June 24, after an ammonia leak as well as filtration issues at the O.B. Curtis water treatment plant forced operators to reduce pressure. While the pressure has been restored, Jackson is still working to answer a second citywide notice that the state health department issued on June 30.
The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the notice because “turbidity levels,” or cloudiness, in the water were too high. Turbidity itself isn’t harmful, but high levels mean a higher likelihood of disease-causing organisms, which can lead to symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
City officials explained on Thursday that operators use two chemicals to maintain the pH in the water: soda ash and a lime slurry. At the time, the soda ash operation “was not working,” and operators used too much lime in the treatment, causing the high turbidity.
Jackson residents have now received over 50 boil water notices since the start of 2022, according to the city’s press releases. Only the two recent notices covered the whole city.
On June 21, the city issued a water conservation advisory because of expected hotter than average temperatures this summer, asking residents to take showers instead of baths, only run full loads in dishwashers and laundry machines, among other measures.
The city requires a number of fixes to bring the system as a whole up to par: hiring more operators for its two treatment plants, upgrading equipment at the plants, and replacing aging distribution lines.
In May, Jackson announced the construction of a new 48-inch distribution line, using about $8 million of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, was underway. The new line is aimed at improving water pressure in the South Jackson, Belhaven, Belhaven Heights, Eastern downtown and I-55 south corridor neighborhoods.
In total, the city has allocated $25 million of the ARPA funds it received for water and sewer improvements. But through county and matching funds the city could receive an additional $33 million, the Clarion Ledger reported in April.
The city said it plans to distribute bottles of water to residents every day until the boil water notice is lifted.
The notices advise that residents bring their water to a boil for a minute before drinking as well as: cooking or baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula or food, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets, washing dishes and all other consumption.
This story was produced by Mississippi Today in partnership with the Community Foundation for Mississippi’s local news collaborative, which is independently funded in part by Microsoft Corp. The collaborative includes Mississippi Today, the Clarion Ledger, the Jackson Advocate, Jackson State University, Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Canton family wants answers after man killed in shooting
SUMMARY: In Canton, Mississippi, the family of Booker T. Henry seeks answers following his shooting death early Sunday morning near LC Greenwood and Walnut Street. He was transported to Madison Merit Health but succumbed to his injuries. Henry’s mother described him as a good man who was visiting family for a gathering when he was killed just before leaving. The incident reportedly lacked surveillance footage. Later that day, Henry’s brother and another individual were shot in the leg nearby. The family is urging anyone with information about the shootings to contact the Canton Police Department.
The post Canton family wants answers after man killed in shooting appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Rankin County Police Department now placed under investigation
SUMMARY: The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County, Mississippi Sheriff’s Department due to allegations of torture involving two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker. This investigation follows the guilty pleas of six former white officers for breaking into a home without a warrant and brutally beating the two men, with one shot in the mouth. Sentenced to 10 to 40 years in prison, the officers’ actions have sparked national outrage. The DOJ probe will assess if the department engaged in excessive force or discriminatory practices in Black neighborhoods.
The post Rankin County Police Department now placed under investigation appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Justice Department opens civil rights probe into Mississippi sheriff's office after torture of 2 Black men
SUMMARY: The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department in Mississippi, following the torture of two Black men by former law enforcement officers. Six white officers pleaded guilty for a brutal attack that involved beatings and other abuses. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated the investigation will examine potential patterns of excessive force and racially discriminatory practices within the department. The sheriff’s office expressed its commitment to transparency and cooperation with the investigation while updating its policies to ensure accountability and improve practices.
The post Justice Department opens civil rights probe into Mississippi sheriff's office after torture of 2 Black men appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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