150,000 gallons of potable water distributed to Jackson, MS residents
Since the beginning of September, WCK’s relief team has provided an estimated 150,000 gallons of much-needed potable water to Jackson, Mississippi residents impacted by the collapse of the city’s water system. More than 90% of Jackson’s population was left without access to water after flooding and years of lack of maintenance resulted in the failure of its water treatment plant.
Our Relief Team mobilized quickly to set up potable water distribution sites and allocate large supplies of water to churches, homebound and disabled communities, and schools. The ongoing water crisis especially hurts the nearly 25% of residents who live in poverty and are forced to find transportation or money to obtain clean water.
To reach communities in need, we established a drive through water distribution center in South Jackson and partnered with other community organizations to assist in their distribution efforts.
The collapse of the city’s water system also caused the closure of all Jackson public schools. To help get students back to class, WCK worked with Home Depot to install water tankers with a 600 gallon capacity at all 54 Jackson public school sites. The tankers allow schools to bypass the often offline Jackson water system and minimize disruption in the event of another crisis.
While water pressure has returned to parts of the city, the water is still not drinkable, so our team continues working alongside local partners to ensure water is available to anyone in need.
For years, residents of Jackson, Mississippi have become accustomed to water supply and quality issues. The problem stems from the city’s aging and neglected water infrastructure that many say is a result of a lack of resources and support at all levels. Jackson’s population decline has also left the town with less financial resources to sustain a public water system that was built for a larger population.
In late July 2022, a boil-water notice was yet again issued for Jackson. A month later, the water treatment plant was pushed to the brink when torrential rains and flooding left it unable to pump out clean water. By the first week of September, the community had either brown water or none at all, people could not use the bathroom or cook, and businesses and schools were closed.
Support our efforts to ensure no one is left without water.
