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For months, the capital of Mississippi has been in a water crisis, causing the city of Jackson to be thrown into the national spotlight as water treatment plants fail.
Jackson’s aging water and sewer system has been an issue for years but now has seemingly come to a head. President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for the community a day after Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves called one.
This comes after days of excessive rain and flooding caused pumps to fail at one of the town’s water treatment plants and has left residences and businesses experiencing low water pressure and being under a state-mandated boil water notice for a month.
As of Wednesday morning, more than 150,000 people out of more than 160,000 in Jackson were without safe drinking water. And finding bottled water is becoming increasingly difficult, even with water distribution sites set up across the city.
If you’re near or far, here are a few ways you can help the city and its residents as they continue to navigate through its crisis.
Jackson water crisis:State, city leaders working together after Mississippi flooding
Related:Mayor Lumumba addresses the ongoing water crisis in Jackson, Miss.
Donate water to Jackson, Mississippi
Twin Forks Rising, a nonprofit community development corporation based in Hattiesburg, is organizing the drive, said Deborah Delgado, one of the organizers. Bottled water of any size will be accepted beginning Sept. 1.
Drop-offs may be made at Twin Forks, 601 East Pine St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The drive will resume again Monday and will continue on weekdays until there no longer is a need.
Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons announced a water drive through Sept. 15 in Greenville to ship bottled water to the capital city. Water may be dropped off at Greenville fire stations 1, 2 and 5, 532 Central St., 623 East Union St. and 2337 East Alexander St.
If you or your organization are able to deliver pallets of water, contact local cooperative Cooperation Jackson at cooperationJackson@gmail.com to coordinate or call (601) 355-7224.
Distributing water to Jackson, Mississippi residents in need
The city listed a number of water distribution sites in a recent Facebook post. If you live in or near Jackson and are looking to contribute to distribution efforts, email the Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition at rapidresponse@peoplesadvocacyinstitute.com.
Where can I donate money for Jackson, Mississippi?
Monetary donations for water purchases for the Twin Forks Rising water drive in Hattiesburg may be made by calling (601) 818-5588.
Cooperation Jackson welcomes online monetary donations. You can donate at https://cooperationjackson.org/donate.
The Mississippi Food Network needs your help to provide fresh water to local families. You can donate money online at https://donate.msfoodnet.org/production?cl=MFNMS&pg=2021_water_drive&amt=15,30,45,160&large=500&ref=water-drive.
You can follow this link to make a monetary donation, run by the Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition – Water Fund: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mississippirapidresponsecoalition?fbclid=IwAR0E-Tba63bmB0-C1zoHEfUwEg1nY-8NI8xEFeA6Vd7Xooy106vIA5sICvU . You can donate $25, $100, $250 or $1,000 as a one time payment or a monthly donation.
More information and resources will be added to this article as it becomes available.
Taylor Worsham is a Digital Producer with the South Digital Optimization Team. Support local journalism like this by becoming a subscriber.
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