Organizers in Jackson, Mississippi are calling on states for resources and aid as the water crisis continues.
Over the past five months, the Pearl River crested, resulting in the demise of Jackson’s fragile water system. Crews are working to repair the faulty pipe system, but families and business owners are expecting to go without water periodically, for up to ten years. The system replacements require adjustments to occur section by section, after failure. Unfortunately, these time-consuming projects can cause water main breaks.
There are quite a few cities across the country replacing damaged water pipe systems, including Flint, Baltimore and Houston.
“[The] water crisis was decades in the making and the situation will get worse before things become better,” said Kenneth Wayne Jones, Hinds County Administrator of which Jackson is included.
“Every move you make to try to alleviate this problem causes pressure to go in another direction. And, when it gets to one direction, there are old pipes, or, the water main breaks. And, when the water mains start to break, it shifts pressure everywhere. It’s especially hard on our businesses,” Jones continued.
More than 10% of Jackson residents have left the city. Reports show over 6,000 out of 9,000 businesses have left the city within that same time period.
“Send drinking water,” Jones pleads.
“Continue to send drinking water. You can send it to the city or county. There are so many areas where we need those resources for these people. It’s an ongoing process.”
Jackson, Mississippi, is preparing to go without water for up to 10 years as the water crisis continues. Crews are working to replace the pipe system but families and businesses are preparing to go without water. pic.twitter.com/bGOxkXk3N4
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