Water Crisis Continues in Jackson, Mississippi as Leaders Discuss Plans
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Five months after Jackson, Mississippi's water system failed, residents continue to struggle with water access as officials seek a path forward.
The Details: Residents are speaking out about ongoing water issues and delays in fixing water leaks, sewage issues, and pipe bursts. Fox News reported this week that "families and businesses are prepared to go without water periodically, for up to 10 years."
Possible Solutions: The recently-proposed "Mississippi Capitol Region Utility Act" would transfer ownership of Jackson's water utility system from the city to a nine-member board. Another proposal would require utilities to use a meter system to charge residents based on the amount of water they use. Meanwhile, Jackson's federally-appointed interim water manager proposed a new billing system based on property size, and also proposed using $290 million in federal funds to relieve the city water system's debt.
The Debate: Republican lawmakers sponsored the bills proposing the new meter system and the transfer of ownership, which would supersede the interim manager's plans. Democratic officials, meanwhile, are pushing for the city to maintain control of its water system, and are criticizing Republicans who are purportedly forgoing discourse on the issue with local leaders.
How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum continue to report on the Jackson water crisis periodically, while it remains the top story from many local outlets. The Associated Press said the interim manager's plan was at risk of being superseded by a plan "being pushed by Republican legislators from outside Jackson."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
DOJ appointee releases new plan for ‘tenuous’ Jackson water
The interim manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to reform the troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city released a new financial plan Friday to change the way Jackson bills for water and spend hundreds of millions of federal relief funds paying down the system’s debt.
The plan would relieve the water system of its debt and introduce a new billing model that would become effective in the budget year that begins on Oct. 1. The proposed reforms would allow Jackson to pay for the costs of improving...
From the Center
Senate passes bill that could limit how Jackson meters and charges residents for water use
A bill that would mandate how cities calculate water bills, which critics say is targeted at the water system in the City of Jackson and would likely tie the hands of its federally appointed administrator, passed the Mississippi Senate on Thursday.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Joel Carter, R-Gulfport, denied that the bill is specifically targeted at the capital city, saying it is only one of the municipalities that would be impacted.
"We keep on hearing Jackson, Jackson, Jackson," Carter said. "I have a $100 million problem in my district because the...
From the Right
Jackson, Mississippi, preparing to go without water periodically for up to 10 years as crisis continues
Organizations in Jackson, Mississippi, are asking for help from other states as the water crisis dries up resources.
It’s been over five months since the Pearl River crested and Jackson, Mississippi’s water system failed. Now, crews are working to replace the pipe system, but families and businesses are prepared to go without water periodically, for up to 10 years.
Cities across the country are replacing fragile water pipe systems. Besides Jackson, there's Flint, Michigan, Baltimore, Maryland, and Houston, Texas.
The systems are replaced section-by-section after failure. But, these years-long projects can cause water main breaks.
Kenneth...
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