The Republican House speaker, Philip Gunn, said he has been contacted by hospitals, businesses and schools "pleading that something be done to address the water crisis in Jackson.By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS and MICHAEL GOLDBERG Associated Press Delbert Hosemann said in a statement Monday, suggesting the state take a role in trying to solve the issue. "We have grave concerns for citizens' health and safety," Republican Lt. Legislative leaders reacted with alarm to Jackson's latest water system problems. That is more than two times the $75 million the whole state is receiving to address water problems as part of the recent bipartisan infrastructure bill. The mayor said last week that fixing Jackson's water system could cost $200 million. Similar problems happened again early this year, on a smaller scale. A cold snap in 2021 left a significant number of people without running water after pipes froze. Jackson has longstanding problems with its water system. "What I liken it to is if you were drinking out of a Styrofoam cup, someone puts a hole in the bottom of it, you're steady trying to fill it while it's steady running out at the bottom," Lumumba said. Lumumba - a Democrat who was not invited to the Republican governor's news conference - said flooding has created additional problems at the treatment plant, and low water pressure could last a few days. The reservoir also has a role in flood control. Jackson has two water-treatment plants, and the larger one is near a reservoir that provides most of the city's water supply. Parts of Jackson flooded in 2020 after the river rose above that level. That is short of the major flood stage level of 36 feet. The National Weather Service said the Pearl River crested Monday at about 35.4 feet. Earlier projections showed about 100 to 150 buildings in the Jackson area faced the possibility of flooding. One home was flooded Monday but Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the water did not rise as high as expected. The problems at the water treatment plant came after the city appeared to largely avoid widespread flooding from a Pearl River swollen by days of heavy rain. The governor said he understands people's frustrations. Reeves said the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will start distributing both drinking water and non-potable water, and the National Guard will be called in to help. "FEMA is working closely with the state officials to identify needs, and the EPA is coordinating with industry partners to expedite delivery of critical treatment equipment for emergency repairs at the City of Jackson water treatment facilities," she said. President Joe Biden has been briefed about Jackson's flooding and water problems, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday on Twitter. Jackson State University brought in temporary restrooms for students. "The water is not safe to drink, and I'd even say it's not safe to brush your teeth with," the state health officer, Dr. Those who did have water flowing from the tap were told to boil it to kill bacteria that could make them sick. Low water pressure left some people unable to take showers or flush toilets and officials said the low pressure caused concern for firefighting. He said the state will try to help resolve problems by hiring contractors to work at the treatment plant. Tate Reeves said late Monday that he's declaring a state of emergency for Jackson's water system, and he issued the proclamation Tuesday. He said they have been spending $300 a day for bottled water in the past month. Emerson and his wife, Jennifer, own the upscale Walker's Drive-In. "They are making it impossible for us to do business in Jackson, Mississippi," restaurant owner Derek Emerson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The city of 150,000 had already been under a boil-water notice for a month because the Health Department found cloudy water that could cause digestive problems. Parts of Jackson were without running water Tuesday because flooding exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. Mississippi's capital city is grappling with multiple water problems - too much on the ground after heavy rainfall in the past week, and not enough safe water coming through the pipes for people to use.
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