1 / 42

Jackson’s long-term infrastructure problems are far from over, but the crisis the mid-February winter storm left on the city’s residents has been largely addressed.

The city’s large-scale water service disruptions are over for most residents, with the remaining incidents of low or no water pressure being mostly caused by faulty water meters or broken pipes at individual buildings. On March 17, the city was able to lift the precautionary boil water notice on it’s 43,000 surface water connections.

A historic winter storm beginning on Feb. 14 froze water plant equipment and burst many pipes in the capital city, and at least 40,000 residents — mostly Black — were without water for about three weeks.

City leaders, who have neglected funding the water system for decades, say they need major investment from the state to repair system, which is estimated to cost at least $1 billion. State lawmakers are debating how to address the water crisis before they are scheduled to leave Jackson on April 4.

Aid may also come to the city from the federal government. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith filed a bill on March 16 that taps three federal agencies to provide the city with a combination of loans, loan forgiveness and grants for water infrastructure projects. 

READ MORE: Lawmakers consider Jackson water crisis options as end of session nears

READ MORE: Hyde-Smith proposes federal funding to address Jackson water crisis

This story was updated on March 19.

Close window X

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Unless otherwise noted, you can republish most of Mississippi Today’s stories for free under a Creative Commons license. For digital publications:

• Look for the "Republish This Story" button underneath each story. To republish online, simply click the button, copy the html code and paste into your Content Management System (CMS).
• Editorial cartoons and photo essays are not included under the Creative Commons license and therefore do not have the "Republish This Story" button option. To learn more about our cartoon syndication services, click here.
• You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style.
• You can’t sell or syndicate our stories.
• Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization.
• If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @MSTODAYnews on Facebook and @MSTODAYnews on Twitter.

For print publications:

• You have to credit Mississippi Today. We prefer “Author Name, Mississippi Today” in the byline. If you’re not able to add the byline, please include a line at the top of the story that reads: “This story was originally published by Mississippi Today” and include our website, mississippitoday.org.
• You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style.
• You cannot republish our editorial cartoons, photographs, illustrations or graphics without specific permission (contact our managing editor Kayleigh Skinner for more information). To learn more about our cartoon syndication services, click here.
• Our stories may appear on pages with ads, but not ads specifically sold against our stories.
• You can’t sell or syndicate our stories.
• You can only publish select stories individually — not as a collection.
• Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization.
• If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @MSTODAYnews on Facebook and @MSTODAYnews on Twitter.

If you have any other questions, contact Audience Development Director Lauchlin Fields.

Here’s the latest on the Jackson water crisis

by Will Stribling and Vickie King, Mississippi Today
March 12, 2021

<h1>Here’s the latest on the Jackson water crisis</h1> <p class="byline">by Will Stribling and Vickie King, Mississippi Today <br />March 12, 2021</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996381" data-id="996381" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water8.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A volunteer loads water into a waiting car at New Hope Baptist Church Friday afternoon. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996374" data-id="996374" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water1.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A volunteer loads water into a waiting car at New Hope Baptist Church Friday afternoon. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996376" data-id="996376" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water3.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Water is loaded into vehicles during a water giveaway at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996375" data-id="996375" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water2.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load water into vehicles at New Hope Baptist Church Friday afternoon in Jackson. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996377" data-id="996377" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water4.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Water is loaded into vehicles during a water giveaway at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996379" data-id="996379" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water6.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Rachel McBride, 5, passes out facemasks for those who need them during a water giveaway at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson Friday afternoon.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996378" data-id="996378" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water5.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load water into vehicles at New Hope Baptist Church Friday afternoon in Jackson. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996380" data-id="996380" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water7.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load water into vehicles at New Hope Baptist Church Friday afternoon in Jackson. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996382" data-id="996382" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water9.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load water into vehicles at New Hope Baptist Church Friday afternoon in Jackson. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996383" data-id="996383" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/New-Hope-Water10.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load water into vehicles at New Hope Baptist Church Friday afternoon in Jackson. The water giveaway was provided by the Lefleur’s Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. in partnership with the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996099" data-id="996099" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-repair7.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Partial road closure on North West Street near Millsaps College as work crews repair a waterline.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996098" data-id="996098" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-repair6.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Motorists traveling north on North West Street are re-routed to side streets in Mid-Town as crews repair a waterline near Millsaps College in Jackson.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996097" data-id="996097" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-repair5.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Motorists traveling north on North West Street are re-routed to side streets in Mid-Town as crews repair waterlines in Jackson.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996096" data-id="996096" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-repair4.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Motorists traveling north on North West Street are re-routed to side streets in Mid-Town as crews repair waterlines in Jackson.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996095" data-id="996095" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-repair3.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A motorist ignores the ‘Road Closed’ and ‘Detour’ signs on North West Street near Milsaps College. Work crews are repairing a waterline where North West intersects with Wesley Avenue.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996094" data-id="996094" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-repair2.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A work crew repairs a waterline at the intersection of North West Street and Wesley Avenue in Jackson.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-996093" data-id="996093" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-repair1.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A work crew repairs a waterline at the intersection of North West Street and Wesley Avenue in Jackson.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995871" data-id="995871" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair10.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew repairs a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair the waterlines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995870" data-id="995870" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair9.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew works to repair a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair the water lines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995869" data-id="995869" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair8.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Water pumped from a hole dug by a water maintenance crew on Pascagoula Street in Jackson to repair a broken waterline Saturday. Crews continue to repair waterlines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the city and state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995868" data-id="995868" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair7.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew repairs a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair waterlines in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the city and state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995867" data-id="995867" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair6.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew works to repair a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair the water lines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995866" data-id="995866" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair5.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Water is pumped from a large hole dug by a city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew working to repair a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair the water lines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the city and state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995865" data-id="995865" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair4.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Water is pumped out as a city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew works to repair a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair the water lines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995864" data-id="995864" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair3.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew works to repair a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair the waterlines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the city and state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995863" data-id="995863" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair2.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew works to repair a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair the waterlines across the city in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the city and state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995862" data-id="995862" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Waterline-Repair1.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A city of Jackson Water Maintenance crew works to repair a broken waterline Saturday on Pascagoula Street. Crews continue to repair waterlines in order to restore water to homes after severe winter storms crippled the capital city and the state.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995861" data-id="995861" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway12.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Nearly 1000 cases of bottled water were donated by Mississippi Food Network CEO Dr. Charles Beady, Jr. for a giveaway Saturday morning at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995860" data-id="995860" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway11.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers of all ages with St. Luther M. B. Church, the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi with middle and high school students they mentor, the “Kappa Gents”, load bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995859" data-id="995859" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway10.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers including Mississippi Food Network CEO Charles Beady, Jr. (right), load bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995858" data-id="995858" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway9.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Mississippi Food Network CEO Dr. Charles Beady Jr. prepares to load a case of water into a waiting vehicle Saturday morning at St. Luther M. B. Church. Nearly 1000 cases of bottled water were donated by the Mississippi Food Network for the giveaway in Jackson.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995857" data-id="995857" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway8.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A “Kappa Gents” volunteer loads bottled water into a vehicle Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. “Kappa Gents” are middle and high school students mentored by the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995856" data-id="995856" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway7.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers of all ages with St. Luther M. B. Church, the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi with middle and high school students they mentor, the “Kappa Gents”, load bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995855" data-id="995855" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway6.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A “Kappa Gents” volunteer loads bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. “Kappa Gents” are middle and high school students mentored by the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995854" data-id="995854" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway5-1200x789.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995853" data-id="995853" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway4.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Young and older volunteers with St. Luther M. B. Church, the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi with middle and high school students they mentor, the “Kappa Gents”, load bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995852" data-id="995852" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway3.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">St. Luther M. B. Church members and the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi with the middle and high school students they mentor, the “Kappa Gents”, load bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995851" data-id="995851" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway2.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Young and older volunteers with St. Luther M. B. Church, the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi with middle and high school students they mentor, the “Kappa Gents”, load bottled water into vehicles Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated for the giveaway by the Mississippi Food Network.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995850" data-id="995850" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/St.-Luther-Water-Giveaway1.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A volunteer with the Jackson Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi loads bottled water into a motorist’s truck Saturday at St. Luther M. B. Church in Jackson. Nearly a 1000 cases of bottled water were donated by the Mississippi Food Network for the water giveaway.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995849" data-id="995849" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Arts-Council-and-Justice-Center-Water-Giveaway11-1200x691.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load boxes filled with non-perishable items including bottled water, fruit, chicken and vegetables into waiting vehicles lined up at the Arts Center of Mississippi Saturday. The donations were provided by the Greater Jackson Arts Council in partnership with the Reuben Anderson Center for Justice.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995848" data-id="995848" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Arts-Council-and-Justice-Center-Water-Giveaway10.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Volunteers load boxes filled with non-perishable items including bottled water, fruit, chicken and vegetables into waiting vehicles lined up at the Arts Center of Mississippi Saturday. The donations were provided by the Greater Jackson Arts Council in partnership with the Reuben Anderson Center for Justice.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-995847" data-id="995847" src="https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Arts-Council-and-Justice-Center-Water-Giveaway9.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A volunteer loads boxes filled with non-perishable items including bottled water, fruit, chicken and vegetables into waiting vehicles lined up at the Arts Center of Mississippi Saturday. The donations were provided by the Greater Jackson Arts Council in partnership with the Reuben Anderson Center for Justice.</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>Jackson’s long-term infrastructure problems are far from over, but the crisis the mid-February winter storm left on the city's residents has been largely addressed. </p> <p>The city’s large-scale water service disruptions are over for most residents, with the remaining incidents of low or no water pressure being mostly caused by faulty water meters or broken pipes at individual buildings. On March 17, the city was able to lift the precautionary boil water notice on it’s 43,000 surface water connections.</p> <p>A historic winter storm beginning on Feb. 14 froze water plant equipment and burst many pipes in the capital city, and <a href="https://mississippitoday.org/2021/03/04/as-jackson-residents-suffer-during-historic-water-crisis-state-leaders-keep-their-distance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at least 40,000 residents</a> — mostly Black — were without water for about three weeks.</p> <p>City leaders, who have neglected funding the water system for decades, say they need major investment from the state to repair system, which is estimated to cost at least $1 billion. State lawmakers are debating how to address the water crisis before they are scheduled to leave Jackson on April 4.</p> <p>Aid may also come to the city from the federal government. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith filed a bill on March 16 that taps three federal agencies to provide the city with a combination of loans, loan forgiveness and grants for water infrastructure projects.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://mississippitoday.org/2021/03/10/lawmakers-consider-jackson-water-crisis-options-as-end-of-session-nears/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lawmakers consider Jackson water crisis options as end of session nears</a></p> <p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://mississippitoday.org/2021/03/16/hyde-smith-proposes-federal-funding-to-address-jackson-water-crisis/">Hyde-Smith proposes federal funding to address Jackson water crisis</a></p> <p><em>This story was updated on March 19.</em></p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://mississippitoday.org/2021/03/12/heres-the-latest-on-the-jackson-water-crisis/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://mississippitoday.org">Mississippi Today</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MT_square-thumb.jpg?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://mississippitoday.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=996364&ga=UA-75003810-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p>

1