The City of Jackson is in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water act, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said during a press conference Monday.
Lumumba said he was given the information by the Unified Command Group early Monday.
“That was certainly welcome news by the EPA,” Lumumba said. “The EPA, in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Health performed a series of tests on our drinking water over the last several months are in and revealed that our water is, in fact, safe to drink.”
The lead and copper results, however, have not yet been released, but have been completed, according to Lumumba.
“The results are expected by mid-November,” he said. “We are eagerly anticipating those results.”
Jackson’s water history:Jackson water crisis flows from a century of poverty, neglect and racism
Lead in water:Clarion Ledger investigation for lead in Jackson water reveals broader issues. See results
September independent testing by the Clarion Ledger and the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting suggests that lead results could be widespread in Jackson.
In a combined effort between the Clarion Ledger and the MCIR, samples were collected from faucets at 17 locations throughout Jackson, including residences, businesses, schools and restaurants as well as the State Capitol Building.
The Clarion Ledger and MCIR testing showed that 41% of Jackson sites tested contained some level of lead. A local university and a high school displayed the highest levels.
Lumumba didn’t go any further into the lead testing on Monday.
However, he did give updates on the water treatment plant, itself.
He said the city is moving ahead with securing a firm to handle the operations and maintenance for the city’s water system.
“We have had several firms already tour the plant, which is a part of the application process,” Lumumba said.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves extended the state of emergency over the water crisis in Jackson on Friday. On the same day the emergency declaration was set to expire, Reeves said the state of emergency he declared on Aug. 30 would remain in place until Nov. 22.
Reeves and Lumumba have traded barbs over how much control the state and city will have to decide on a private firm to operate Jackson’s water system over the long term.
Reeves said extending the state of emergency would allow for a five-day transition period between the state’s management team and a private firm that will be chosen to operate the water system over the long term.
On Monday, Lumumba said, “We appreciate that the governor has extended the state of emergency through Nov. 22. Our goal is to have a contract in place by Nov. 17. It is an aggressive goal and we are working to make that happen.
“In the meantime, we are working closely with the Department of Justice and the EPA to ensure our water treatment facility continues to function.”
On Friday, the U.S. Corps of Engineers provided the city with a Resiliency Playbook that will assist anyone working with the pumps to help with the repairs.
“That is not only for the short-term needs but also the long-term needs,” Lumumba said.
After last week’s press conference in which Lumumba said the city’s water system was on the precipice of failure after more than 55,000 people were in town for Jackson State University’s homecoming game against Campbell University.
However, this week, Lumumba said the water system worked perfectly this weekend as even more people were on hand for Jackson State win against Southern University.
“We went in the weekend very strong,” Lumumba said. “We had some updates done to the tanks going into the weekend and I would like to think the residents of the city cut down on consumption as well.”
He said the entire weekend went well for the city as hotels and restaurants were filled in the city as well as surrounding communities.
“I am very proud of how this weekend went,” Lumumba said.
