As Mississippi’s capital endures fourth day without water, help pours in

JACKSON, Mississippi, Sept 1 (Reuters) – Seven new distribution sites opened in the Mississippi state capital on Thursday to distribute bottled water to people who have not had clean water from the tap since the city’s sewage treatment plant broke down four days ago.

As residents lined up at distribution sites and grocery stores in Jackson to get bottled water, the city said ‘significant gains’ were made overnight in plant repairs of water OB Curtis. Complications from recent flooding put the plant out of action on Monday night.

“There are still a few challenges ahead over the next few days, but the outlook for today is currently one of continued progress,” the city said in a statement. He said limited water pressure had returned in some areas.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said 600 National Guard members would be deployed to new water distribution sites across the city and surrounding 180,000-affected people.

“To everyone in the city, I know you’re dealing with a deeply unfair situation. It’s frustrating. It’s wrong. It needs to be fixed,” Reeves said at a press conference.

The crisis hampered Jackson. Many stores and restaurants have closed, while the public school system and Jackson State University have been forced to move classes online.

“I have me and six children here. I have to constantly remind them, ‘Don’t brush your teeth with this water, don’t wash your face with this water,'” said Denika Samuel, who was home for help her children use the remote control. schooling.

“I as a parent will do whatever it takes to make sure we survive this water crisis.”

Since Monday’s plant outage, crews have been scrambling to install a temporary pump and make repairs and adjustments to existing equipment.

President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday night approved an emergency declaration to release federal aid, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Environmental Protection Agency had been dispatched to Jackson to bring their help.

The White House also said the legislation it supports has made millions of federal dollars available for state and city water projects.

“We offered whatever was available in Mississippi. The governor needs to act,” Biden told reporters at the White House Thursday night. “There is money to deal with this problem. We gave them the EPA. We gave them everything there is to offer.”

Additional reporting by Brendan O’Brien in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; edited by Deepa Babington, Robert Birsel

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