Jackson to Use $1.8 Million Federal Grant to Fight Lead Contamination
The City of Jackson is getting $1.8 million in federal funds to clean up lead-based paint and other home health hazards in the city.
A Very, Very Full Plate: An Interview with Department of Public Works Director Kishia Powell
Kishia Powell, director of the department of public works, sat down with the Jackson Free Press on May 4 to clear the air about her constant struggle against the problems she inherited as head of the fight against potholes, water leaks, and water bill difficulties.
Lead a Danger For Pets, Too
While the City of Jackson works on its corrosion-control study to prevent the presence of lead in the drinking water, residents are buying bottled water for themselves and their children, but what about the four-legged members of the family?
Threat of Lead Paint Grows Over Time
While Jacksonians worry about whether their pipes are leaching lead into their water, those who live in the oldest, poorest sections of the city have been living with the threat of lead for years.
Protests at City Hall over 'Secrecy and Division' Amid Budget Deficits, Huge Water Bills
A small group of concerned citizens gathered in the light rain Tuesday morning on the steps of Jackson City Hall to protest the "secrecy and division" of the city government, even as Jackson City Council gathered for its regular meeting inside.
UPDATED: Mayor Fires Back at Council's Rejection of $400K Contract for Water Study, Says 'Political'
Several council members have spent the last hour and a half questioning the mayor's request to award a $400,000 corrosion study on the city's water to a Texas company run by a woman with a business degree from the University of Phoenix.
New City, State Alert: Don’t Drink Jackson Water if You're a Child, Infant or Pregnant Without Taking Precautions
The City and the Mississippi Department of Health today are cautioning small children and pregnant women not to drink the water without taking certain steps to flush any lead present in the pipes.
City Leaders at a Loss over Water, Sewer Revenue Loss
The water- and sewer-revenue deficit has a few possible sources, but even Jackson City Council members are having a difficult time parsing out the how and why.
Lead in Water Devastating to Children, Their Development, Their Futures
Concerns about lead poisoning in Jackson increased in recent weeks since the Mississippi Department of Health notified the city in January that it found lead in some of the city's households last summer.
Jackson Moves Forward With Plan to Prevent Lead from Leaching into Water Supply
The City of Jackson is moving ahead with an "aggressive" effort to prevent leaching of lead into the municipal water supply.
Siemens Rep: Water Billing Glitches Result of Backed-up 'TO-DOs'
Siemens representative Frank D. Gagliardi spent most of his presentation to the Jackson City Council's Budget Committee Monday scribbling notes in the margins of the paper on the podium before him as council members and City employees let loose their frustrations with the water systems his company implemented.
City Faces Emergency and Puzzling Water Shutdown; Promises Answers in 48 Hours
The City of Jackson issued an emergency warning early today that citizens must preserve water due to an emergency shutdown. Here's what we know so far.
Stamps Calls for ‘State of Emergency’ Over Lead, Walks Out After It Fails
Ward 4 Councilman De’Keither Stamps walked out of Wednesday night’s special Jackson City Council meeting after failing to get support for a state of emergency over lead pipes in Jackson homes.
A Renter Finds Lead, But No Legal Protections
There do not seem to be any regulations requiring a homeowner to replace pipes that could contain lead, according to conversations with the EPA, the Mississippi Department of Health and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Jeff Good: Restaurants 'Adding Filters to Every Single Faucet We Have'
Jeff Good, managing partner of the Mangia Bene restaurant group, told a crowd Friday morning that his kitchens were installing filtration systems in response to public reaction to issues surrounding the Jackson city water.
Jackson Schools to Test Water for Lead, Elementary First
Jackson public schools will test the water at area schools, beginning with the elementary schools, and encourage parents to send water with their children if they are concerned about possible lead in the water.
Map of Jackson Sites Where Lead Levels Exceeded Action Levels
On Jan. 28 Mississippi state health officials notified the City of Jackson that it had found lead in 22.4 percent of the 58 Jackson homes it sampled in July 2015. Kishia Powell, the City's public-works director, said she immediately dispatched crews to those homes, in southwest and north Jackson. Health officials are testing the water at another 100 homes for high lead levels, she said.
As the Water Turns, City Wrestles Over Corrosion Study
One question has haunted Jackson residents since January: Is the water safe to drink?
UPDATE: Council Approves Trilogy for Water Corrosion Study; Emergency Loan to Fund It
Mayor Tony Yarber introduced a $291,989 contract with Trilogy Engineering for a corrosion-control study to the Jackson City Council yesterday during its work session, with the means to pay for it through an emergency state loan.
State Begins Lead Testing of Children, Awaits City's Corrosion Compliance Plan
The City of Jackson has extended a "precautionary boil notice" from last week's treatment-plant shutdown.
