What's Changed - A Year After Mississippi Capital's Water Crisis?
A federal judge turned to Ted Henifin after infrastructure breakdowns in Mississippi’s capital city caused residents to go days and weeks without safe water last year
Author:Kelly HayesReviewer:Celeste PearlOct 28, 202374 Shares14.8K Views
A year has passed since Jackson, Mississippi's water crisis, and the situation has significantly improved compared to the uncertainty and inconvenience residents faced back then. Last year, the city's 150,000 residents often had no assurance of having safe tap water for drinking, bathing, or flushing toilets. There were occasional warnings of water contamination, necessitating boiling, and long queues for access to fresh water, especially impacting the majority-Black population.
The transformation of the water system has been overseen by Ted Henifin, an experienced utility manager appointed as the interim head of the city's long-troubled water system last year. Henifin has encountered challenges, including concerns about water quality, legal obstacles related to ensuring equitable water pricing for low-income residents, and the expansion of his responsibilities to address sewer system issues.
Henifin recently spoke with The Associated Press, providing insight into the latest developments in this multifaceted story, which touches on racial disparities, crumbling infrastructure, and political divides.
Infrastructure breakdowns in August and September of last year left many Jackson residents without safe running water for days and weeks. Henifin was brought in from Virginia by a federal judge in December to address the crisis. Since then, he has been working on establishing a more reliable water network and resolving issues such as broken pipes and valves that previously wasted significant amounts of water.
One of Henifin's primary objectives has been to increase revenue collection from the water system without raising rates, particularly in a city where about a quarter of the population lives in poverty. Initially, he proposed pricing water based on property values, but the Mississippi Legislature later mandated that water billing be based on personal consumption. Henifin is working on a new proposal to address this change in the law, aiming to strike a balance between the concerns of the Democratic-led city and the Republican-controlled Legislature. He anticipates sharing details of the proposal by the year's end and believes it could serve as a model for helping lower socio-economic demographics afford water.
Henifin reported an improvement in the city's water bill collection rate, rising from 56% in the second quarter to over 62% in the third quarter. He views this as a positive indicator of public support for the changes.
Originally, Henifin had planned to complete his work in Jackson within a year, but he has now extended his commitment to managing the water and sewer systems for up to four years. This extended timeframe will allow for the utilization of the substantial federal funding, approximately $600 million, allocated to improve the city's water system, most of which remains unspent. Additionally, Henifin cited a growing sense of connection to the community as a reason for his prolonged stay.
Despite improvements, some activist groups have sought more influence over water system reforms and requested to join a federal lawsuit against the city. Henifin expressed frustration with such groups, believing they do not represent the majority of the city's residents, who, according to him, overwhelmingly support his efforts, regardless of their racial background.
Henifin's next priority is addressing issues in the city's sewer system, as legal authority over it has been extended to him. While the drinking water order was issued under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the sewer order came into effect under the Clean Water Act. Henifin intends to manage both systems over a four-year period, with the expectation that the city will return to a consent decree for sewer management after this period. This differs from the water order, which has no set end date and will continue until a judge deems the system stable.
Kelly Hayes
Author
Kelly Hayes is a seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience, specializing in news reporting and horoscope analysis. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from New York University, enhancing her credibility and expertise in the field.
Kelly's writing style is characterized by clarity, depth, and a commitment to delivering credible information. Her published works across various platforms showcase her knack for engaging storytelling and insightful analysis.
Readers trust Kelly's expertise in both current events and astrological interpretations, making her a sought-after authority in journalism.
Apart from her professional activities, Kelly enjoys exploring new cultures, practicing yoga, and engaging in philanthropic activities.
Celeste Pearl
Reviewer
Celeste Pearl is an accomplished writer and expert in numerology, astrology, and spirituality.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and over 6 years of writing experience, Celeste brings a wealth of expertise to her articles, making complex topics accessible and engaging for readers.
Her passion for metaphysical sciences is evident in her insightful content, where she explores the depths of these subjects with clarity and depth.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Celeste enjoys delving into spiritual practices and connecting with nature for inspiration.
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