Water system failure: Governor declares state of emergency

While flooding in the Jackson area has subsided, the city is still struggling to manage the current boil-water notice and low-water pressure.

Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Monday evening due to low-water issues throughout much of Jackson.

Local schools, restaurants, and businesses in the Jackson area are temporarily closed because, and some will remain challenged to open the next two days. Residents in parts of the city experienced low pressure Monday.

"The flooding of the Pearl River has created problems with treating water at the O.B. Curtis Water Plant," a Monday city hall news release stated. "Adjustments to the water-treatment process are being made and have led to a temporary decrease in water production for some areas."

The release added that this will "remain an issue for the next couple of days as we work to refill the tanks."

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said in a press conference on Monday that change is needed in treating the water.

"It is no surprise that we have a very fragile water-treatment facility, and O.B. Curtis receives its water from the reservoir, and because of the river water coming into the plant, we have to change how we treat the water," Lumumba said. "So, there is a higher level of the chemical composition of the water. We have to figure out how to contend with that. That has led to the reduction of water being put into the system. That affects system wide the water pressure in the homes of our residents.

Related:Jackson mayor says he will drink city's water once boil notice ends. He trusts city's water.

According to Jackson Public School officials, all Jackson Public Schools will shift to virtual learning on Tuesday due to the citywide water crisis.

"There will not be in-person learning," a post on the JPS website Monday night states.  "Families without devices can pick them up tomorrow at each of our schools from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

"We also will serve breakfast at each school site from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.  Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations will be announced tomorrow morning after schools are accessed for suitable water pressure for meal preparation. "

JPS said it will monitor the situation on a day-by-day basis at schools while conferring with city officials to determine when scholars and staff can safely return for in-person learning.  

In addition, local restaurants are also experiencing the effects of low-water pressure, resulting in multiple bags of ice and water jugs being purchased.

According to Michael Thomas, general manager at Broad Street Baking and Café in Jackson, the restaurant closed early on Monday because of the low-water pressure.

"The health department doesn't allow you to run a place of business with unclean water or low-water pressure," Thomas said. "The boil-water notice and low-water pressure have been a nightmare. We often have to order ice from other cities and boil it to use here at the restaurant.

"We are the last to get the water and the first to lose it."

Thomas also stated that the owner of Broad Street is in talks with Jackson's mayor to resolve the issue.

Heather Graves, general manager at Babalu in Fondren, said dealing with the boil-water notice is quite the battle.

"The boil water notice deters a lot of guests from eating and dining in at local restaurants," Graves said. "The notice has impacted our sales."

Graves stated that Babalu hadn't closed their restaurant due to the low-water pressure or the notice, but it has slowed down customer service.

As a result of the boil-water notice, The Barrell restaurant in the Fondren neighborhood did not open on Monday. A sign taped to the door thanked customers for understanding.