State Health Officer Issues Water Emergency Order for City of Jackson

Mr. Jackson. – Pursuant to the Mississippi Safe Drinking Water Act of 1997 (such as §41-26-1), the Mississippi Department of Health will provide safe If potable water is not available and a public water system emergency exists, is imminent, or is reasonably expected to occur without immediate implementation of additional staffing and remedial measures, I declare a public drinking water supply emergency in Jackson, Mississippi.

Such declaration is based on the following information received by the Mississippi Department of Health (“MSDH”):

• Insufficient number of certified operators for JH Fewell and OB Curtis water treatment plants
• Insufficient number of maintenance staff to support all water treatment plants and distribution systems
• Multiple Raw Water Pump Failures at OB Curtis Water Treatment Plant
• The amount of water in the storage tank is low
• Low water pressure impacting adequate sanitation and educational opportunities
• Consistently sub-optimal levels of disinfection may result in the presence of intestinal organisms, including but not limited to E. coli, Cryptosporidium, or Giardia, in drinking water provided to customers.

order

Pursuant to section 41-26-7 of the Mississippi Safe Drinking Water Act of 1997, and pursuant to proclamation, the State Health Officer hereby declares that the City of Jackson, including, but not limited to, employees of the Department of Public Works and Emergency Management shall immediately Command. Work with state response teams and contractors to augment current personnel and take remedial action as deemed necessary by state incident commanders.

Notwithstanding the requirements of this order, the City of Jackson remains responsible for complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act, U.S. EPA Emergency Executive Orders, and implementing all applicable monitoring and reporting requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. will do.

Compliance with this order shall in no way be construed to relieve the City of Jackson from its obligation to comply with all provisions of federal, state, or local law.

This Order shall remain in full force and effect for no more than 120 days. State Health Officers may extend such orders for an additional 30 days as they deem appropriate.

For more information, visit HealthyMS.com/jacksonwater.

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press contact: MSDH Communications Department, (601) 576-7667

Note to media: After hours or in an emergency, call (601) 576-7400