After seeing some improvements Tuesday, Jackson’s beleaguered water system experienced more challenges Wednesday, only to see the situation improve again.
“We were up to 80 pounds per square inch but by Wednesday morning we were down to 40 psi,” Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said. “As a result there are many surface customers who have subsequently lost water pressure.”
The pressure drop happened after O.B. Curtis Water Plant workers had to offload a “bad batch” of partially treated water from the system because it did not meet state and federal treatment standards, the mayor explained.
Mississippi Department of Health Senior Deputy and Director Jim Craig said intake water from the reservoir, affected by the recent rains and floodwaters, created a chemical imbalance on one side of the plant, leading to the loss of pressure.
Read this:Governor and MS Department of Health give update on water crisis
Related:Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba addresses the ongoing water crisis
“We are flushing bad water out of the system and making mechanical improvements to prevent an even more catastrophic failure,” said Gov. Tate Reeves.
Also on Wednesday, officials said a new rented pump was installed, capable of increasing the water processing ability at Curtis by up to 5 million gallons daily. By Thursday morning, a press release from the city said water pressure had again risen, to 78 PSI. The goal is to reach 87 PSI. This increase in pressure is seeing running water return to some areas of Jackson, said city spokesperson Justin Vicory.
“Many areas throughout Jackson now have some pressure. Areas closer to the plant are experiencing almost normal pressure. Areas further from the plant and at higher elevations are still experiencing low to no pressure. This pressure will improve as the tank levels increase,” Vicory said.
In the coming days, Reeves said, there will be a need for electricians, mechanics, divers and other skilled operators to complete the work necessary to restore Jackson’s water system.
“It’s happening at a pace and level of professionalism that I am grateful for,” Reeves said. He cautioned, however, “There is still a lot of work to be done.”
Reeves said, “Until we get the above-ground tanks back to an adequate level, that will cause poor water pressure at times.”
Lumumba said the reduction in pressure should hopefully be temporary.
“We expect to see the pressure to start increasing by this evening. Evening hours are the optimal time for refilling the water towers and our goal is to reach 87 psi,” he said.
Wednesday afternoon’s briefings came on the heels of a federal emergency declaration announced Tuesday by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Biden’s declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to identify, mobilize and provide resources necessary to alleviate impacts of the water emergency. The federal assistance will be provided at 75% federal funding for a period of 90 days.
Lumumba said he had spoken at length with both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday morning.
“Both assured me the eyes of Washington are watching Jackson,” he said. He described the calls as “very encouraging.”
Lumumba also praised assistance offered by the state and downplayed any friction between himself and Reeves.
“I have seen in the media what have been called ‘dueling press conferences’ but that’s not how I would characterize it. My primary focus is cooperation and there is a cooperative effort taking place,” he said.
The mayor appeared with Reeves for the first time since the crisis began at a news conference Thursday. The mayor said, while the city needs more money to address its extensive water woes, it is grateful for the support it has gotten.
“The City of Jackson needs resources and money,” Lumumba said, though he emphasized his appreciation of unity on the current water pressure issue. “When the state comes to me and says ‘we’re coming to help you,’ it doesn’t benefit to take jabs at each other.”
More:City of Jackson welcomes state assistance during water crisis
Previous coverage:Jackson water crisis: State, city leaders working together after Mississippi flooding
Operations at the smaller Fewell Water Plant near Belhaven and the well water system (which serves parts of southwest Jackson) remain stable, officials said.
Asked whether customers on the well system could safely drink that water, Lumumba said, “The boil water notice is system-wide. We do not want customers second guessing whether they are connected to the surface system or the well system.”
He said the water is safe for taking baths, washing hands or doing laundry. But any water used for drinking, cooking, washing dishes or brushing teeth should be brought to a hard boil for a period of at least one minute then allowed to cool before using.
Craig echoed that point, saying the water system is getting up and running again but is still not safe to drink straight from the tap. While the work is underway, residents may see water of varying colors. That doesn’t necessarily mean the water can’t be for sanitation and showering, Craig said.
Mississippi Emergency Management Director Stephen McCraney said the state has spent about $8 million so far on fixing Jackson’s water problems, including water for distribution to residents and supplies equipment and manpower for working on the city’s water system.
The MEMA director also wanted to correct a rumor that has been spreading: “The state of Mississippi is not out of water here,” McCraney said. “That was a false claim. We are not going to be out. When we run out at a site, we bring in a truck to replenish it.”
