Mississippi News
Jackson: Visiting JSU crowds put strain on water system
Visiting JSU crowds put strain on Jackson water system, mayor says
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba cautioned at a Monday press conference that capital city residents should be conscious of their water consumption as another large flock of visitors is expected at Jackson State University's football game this coming weekend.
Lumumba said there was an increased demand for water this last weekend as people travelled into the city for JSU's homecoming game. The extra consumption put pressure on the city's water distribution system, the mayor said, which was dealing with water line leaks. On Saturday, the city issued a boil water notice for 380 connections in southwest Jackson.
The mayor called it a “very difficult weekend” for the water system, and even warned residents of the potential for a citywide boil water notice if there's too much demand on the already fragile treatment plants.
“I want to provide this warning: we're expecting a large number of people to come in this weekend as well as Jackson State prepares for its rivalry game with Southern University,” Lumumba said. “We're asking that people be cognizant, that people be considerate over their consumption. Don't use more than what you need to use, as increased demand and the pressure on our water treatment facilities could actually cause challenges with our water pressure, and if the water pressure drops significantly enough then we might find ourselves in a citywide boil water notice again.”
As the extra consumption put pressure on the surface water delivery system, which serves most residents, well system customers also saw interruptions after a motor pump failure by Highway 18. Lumumba said the city made an emergency purchase for a new pump with the Environmental Protection Agency's approval, and that the city slowly restored water pressure over the weekend.
The mayor also discussed new funding opportunities for the water system, some that have already been allocated and some that the city is applying for:
- $5 million the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- $20 million from Congress' continuing resolution to fund the federal government.
- $4 million through state and private assistance grants through the EPA.
- $71 million Jackson has applied for through state allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act.
- Up to $50 million the city is pursuing through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program.
Lumumba also referenced plans the city has had to decommission J.H. Fewell, the city's secondary water treatment plant. While the city will still look to replace Fewell at some point, he said those plans are “a long way away” as the city needs the plant's production to “make up the difference” with what O.B. Curtis can produce.
“That is the long-term vision, and it increasingly appears to be the long-term vision to create a new water treatment facility in its entirety, even moving away from O.B. Curtis,” the mayor said. “But J.H. Fewell is more than 100 years old, there are parts and equipment at J.H. Fewell that are completely obsolete and will never be repaired. But today, we don't have the luxury of moving away from J.H. Fewell.”
Lumumba added that the city's request for proposals for a contractor to operate the city's water facilities will go until Nov. 7, and that he expects the contract to start on Nov.17. He continued to dispute Gov. Tate Reeves' assertion that Lumumba had left the state's Unified Command Structure established to assist in the Jackson water crisis, saying that he met with the team earlier Monday.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Fire damages 8 units at Ridgeland apartment complex
SUMMARY: A fire damaged eight units at a Ridgeland apartment complex on Old Canton Road. The fire occurred early Thursday morning and flames were found coming from the roof of the apartment. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Madison firefighters also assisted at the scene.
The post Fire damages 8 units at Ridgeland apartment complex appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Jackson man killed in motorcycle crash in Warren County
SUMMARY: A 48-year-old Jackson man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Highway 27 South near Country Brown Road in Warren County. The crash occurred just after 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24. The man, identified as Herman East, was ejected from his 2007 Harley Davidson after running off the road and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
The post Jackson man killed in motorcycle crash in Warren County appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Ridgeland man sentenced for molesting girl
SUMMARY: Ronnie Hales, a 44-year-old man from Ridgeland, pled guilty to gratification of lust by molesting his then-girlfriend's 10-year-old daughter. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison without the possibility of early release or parole and will have to register as a sex offender upon release. The abuse was reported to Ridgeland police in February 2023, leading to an investigation that included a forensic interview of the child. Evidence was found at Hales' home, and multiple state agencies collaborated to secure the conviction. District Attorney Bubba Bramlett expressed gratitude for the teamwork and hopes the child can find closure and move forward.
The post Ridgeland man sentenced for molesting girl appeared first on www.wjtv.com
-
Mississippi News7 days ago
What this means for local schools
-
228Sports5 days ago
From Heartbreak to Hoop Dreams: Pascagoula Panthers Springboard from Semifinal Setback to College Courts
-
Mississippi News4 days ago
2 dead, 6 hurt in shooting at Memphis, Tennessee block party: police
-
Mississippi News7 days ago
Willis Miller sentenced to 45 years in prison, mandatory
-
Mississippi News4 days ago
Forest landowners can apply for federal emergency loans
-
Mississippi Today7 days ago
The unlikely Mississippi politician who could tank Medicaid expansion
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
Burnsville man arrested in Prentiss County on drug related charges
-
Mississippi News3 days ago
Cicadas expected to takeover north Mississippi counties soon