JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI (AP) – Officials said that the water system in Jackson, Mississippi which partially collapsed in late August, was experiencing “fluctuating” pressure impacting residents on Saturday amid frigid temperatures.
Some neighbourhoods in Jackson had low water pressure and residents said they had no water pressure on December 24.
As the temperature remained below freezing, production slowed at one of the city’s water treatment plants while officials worked to correct the pressure drop which they believed was caused by leaks and water line breaks.
City spokesperson Melissa Payne said the decreasing temperature was contributing to an increasing number of breaks. She also added that, “Our crews are out, right now, working to repair those leaks and line breaks. Despite the challenges, both plants are still producing”.
The potential for further disruptions to Jackson’s water system comes just months after the city of about 150,000 residents lost water in late August.
The water system fell into crisis after flooding exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water treatment plants. Most of Jackson lost running water for several days and people waited in lines for water to drink, cook, bathe and flush toilets. In February 2021, tens of thousands of Jackson residents were left without running water for days after pipes froze, which had temperatures mirrored during this week’s cold snap.
Leading up to this weekend’s “arctic blast” that brought dangerously cold air to Jackson, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba warned that the city’s the water distribution system remained a “huge vulnerability”.
“We are in no position to promise that sustained arctic temperatures won’t impact the water system and other infrastructure,” Lumumba said. “We are going to prepare for the worst, but pray for the best.”
