Mississippi City Faces Water Contamination Crisis, Declares Boil Water Advisory Due to E. coli

Residents in Mississippi’s capital, Jackson, and the suburb of Flowood are facing a water crisis as authorities have instructed them to boil tap water due to traces of E. coli bacteria found in the city’s water supply. 

This precautionary measure is a setback to ongoing efforts to rebuild public trust in Jackson’s water system, according to Ted Henifin, the interim water manager.

Mississippi state health officials issued the boil water advisory in anticipation of an approaching cold snap, which may stress the area’s water infrastructure further. 

The presence of E. coli indicates potential contamination with human or animal waste, leading authorities to advise residents to boil their water for at least one minute before use. The advisory is expected to last a minimum of two days, during which officials will collect new samples for testing.

Henifin expressed skepticism about the lab results, alleging that state officials failed to validate them before issuing the notice. He raised concerns about the possibility of false positive tests and argued against simultaneous contamination in both Jackson and Flowood, as the two cities’ water systems are not connected.

Mississippi’s Ongoing Water Trust Rebuilding Efforts

This setback comes amidst ongoing efforts by Henifin to rebuild trust in Jackson’s water system, a process initiated since his appointment by a federal judge in November 2022. 

The late summer of that year witnessed infrastructural failures that left many households without access to safe running water for extended periods, ultimately leading to the federal judge’s involvement.

Despite the health department’s assurance that the lab results are not false positives, Henifin anticipates that the boil water advisory may persist until Monday. 

This timeline aligns with the projected arrival of freezing temperatures in the area, accompanied by an arctic blast sweeping over Mississippi. Jackson has previously experienced water pressure reductions and frozen pipes due to cold events in 2021 and 2022.

Henifin, who has been leading various improvement projects for the water system, expressed disappointment over the potential setback caused by the recent boil water notice. He emphasized the importance of validating the results to maintain progress in restoring public confidence in the city’s water supply.