Health Highlight: Wed. 7, June
Health Highlight: Wed. 7, June
Today’s Highlight(s): Good news and much-needed funding for the residents of Jackson, Mississippi, who have been struggling with drinking water scarcity since January.
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THE BRIEF
The City of Jackson, Mississippi, will receive $115 million from a $600 million Congressional appropriation by the Biden-Harris Administration. The money is for addressing the drinking water emergency brought on by flooding and infrastructure problems. 1
KEY POINTS
The grant will help begin to rebuild the city’s water infrastructure so that it can begin delivering safe and reliable drinking water.
Given the city’s history of failing to meet the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, this investment is needed and anticipated.
“Last year’s prolonged water crisis showed us the urgent need for drinking water infrastructure improvements, and I was glad to work with members of the Mississippi congressional delegation to secure emergency funding to help. With this first award, the City of Jackson will have the resources necessary to begin addressing many of the longstanding challenges with its water supply and help guard against future emergencies.”
—U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (MS)
DOUBLE-CLICK
A boil water notice was in effect for 40 days, leaving approximately 150,000 residents without drinkable water. Despite progress made by federal, state, and local partners, the city still faces staffing shortages, operations and maintenance challenges, and infrastructure repairs.
TIMELINE
Early August 2022: Flooding in Mississippi affects the City of Jackson’s public water system, causing insufficient pressure in some areas.
August 30, 2022: Emergencies declared by the Mayor, Governor, Mississippi State Department of Health, and President in response to the water crisis.
A boil-water notice was imposed, lasting for 40 days until September 16, 2022.
Ongoing efforts by federal, state, and local partners to restore water pressure and repair equipment.
The City of Jackson faces challenges with staffing shortages, operations, maintenance, and infrastructure repairs.
December 2022: A severe cold snap results in a loss of water pressure, prompting a city-wide boil water notice.
The continuing risk of system failure without improved management, operation, and maintenance.
Figure 1. Water System Update: January 12, 2023
MORE
Health Highlight: Mon. 22, May | “Parasitic infections hit the health of low-income Black communities where states have neglected sewage systems”
A parasite study in Alabama finds some disturbing results about infection rates in the impoverished Mississippi Delta.A Water System So Broken That One Pipe Leaks 5 Million Gallons a Day
As a water shortage ballooned into a crisis in Jackson, Miss., the leak grew bigger and bigger, gouging out a swimming pool-size crater in the earth.Jackson, Mississippi’s water crisis persists as national attention and help fade away
Grassroots organizers who supported the city’s residents during the water crisis last summer say they’re now out of resources to help those in need.
Keywords 🏷️: #EPA #JacksonWaterCrisis #Mississippi #WaterCrisis #BidenAdminFOOTNOTES
“EPA funding is first awarded of $600 million total secured by the Biden-Harris Administration for Jackson’s water system”
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-invests-115-million-funding-respond-drinking-water