Jackson’s new worry: More water pressure could break pipes

Sep 1, 2022, 6:58 PM | Updated: Sep 2, 2022, 6:04 pm

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), left, and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves look over the sedimentation basins during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), right, leads a group of officials up steps to a observation walkway that overlooks the sedimentation basins during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

Jim Craig, with the Mississippi State Department of Health, right, answers a question from Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, second from right, Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), center, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, second from left, and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, left, during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), center, watches as Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, right, shakes hands with Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, following a tour the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), center, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, right, confer with Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, following a tour the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) speaks to Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, unseen, during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, speaks to Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

Mississippi National Guardsmen carry cases of drinking water and a bottle of hand sanitizer to Jackson, Miss., residents, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Smith Wills Stadium. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants, and the state is helping with the distribution of drinking water to the city's residents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Earl O'Banner, a resident of the Golden Keys Senior Living Apartments gets a couple of cases of water placed on his chair in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. A recent flood worsened Jackson's longstanding water system problems. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

A Mississippi National Guardsman carries a case of drinking water to a Jackson, Miss., resident, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Smith Wills Stadium. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants, and the state is helping with the distribution of drinking water to the city's residents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Members of the Mississippi National Guard distribute water and supplies to Jackson residents Friday Sep. 2, 2022, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

A Mississippi National Guardsman places a container of hand sanitizer into the trunk of a Jackson, Miss., resident, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Smith Wills Stadium. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants, and the state is helping with the distribution of drinking water to the city's residents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Willie Brown, right, of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation places cases of water on the chair of Diana Washington, a resident of the Golden Keys Senior Living apartments in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. A recent flood worsened Jackson's longstanding water system problems. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, left, confers with Jim Craig of the Mississippi State Health Department, right, as both Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, second from right and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency executive director Stephen McCraney, second from left, listen, during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

A trickle of water comes out of the faucet of Mary Gaines a resident of the Golden Keys Senior Living apartments in her kitchen in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. A recent flood worsened Jackson's longstanding water system problems. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Jim Craig, with the Mississippi State Department of Health, right, explains the purpose of some of the monitors to Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, second from right, Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, center, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, second from left, and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, left, during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

A Mississippi National Guardsman drives a water laden pallet through the parking lot of Smith Wills Stadium in Jackson, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The stadium is one of several water distribution sites the Guard is handling, in addition to those from private companies, churches and social organizations. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A nonstop lineup of vehicles drive through the parking lot of Smith Wills Stadium in Jackson, Miss., for cases of drinking water and sanitizer, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants, and the state is helping with the distribution of drinking water to the city's residents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi National Guardsmen direct traffic as they pass out cases of drinking water to Jackson, Miss., residents, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Smith Wills Stadium. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants, and the state is helping with the distribution of drinking water to the city's residents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jim Craig, with the Mississippi State Department of Health, right, explains the purpose of some of the monitors to Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, second from right, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, second from left, and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, left, during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

A Mississippi National Guardsman juggles a case of drinking water as he approaches a Jackson, Miss., resident's car, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Smith Wills Stadium. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants, and the state is helping with the distribution of drinking water to the city's residents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A sign taped to the door of the closed Mama's Eats and Sweets restaurant is one of the casualties of the water crisis Friday Sep. 2, 2022, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), left, confers with Jim Craig of the Mississippi State Health Department, right, as both Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, second from right and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency executive director Stephen McCraney, second from left, listen, during a visit to the City of Jackson's O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Jackson's water system partially failed following flooding and heavy rainfall that exacerbated longstanding problems in one of two water-treatment plants. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Pool)

The Mississippi State Capitol is illuminated in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. The grounds of the Capitol are undergoing renovations. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Bennie Hudson, 65, executive director of the Mississippi Faith-Based Coalition for Community Renewal, walks past some of the bottles of purified water in her Jackson, Miss. home, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Hudson also boils any tap water she uses due to the city's longstanding water problems. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mary Gaines a resident of the Golden Keys Senior Living apartments displays contaminated water in her kitchen in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. A recent flood worsened Jackson's longstanding water system problems. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Residents of the Golden Keys Senior Living apartments flock to a trailer full of water being delivered by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. A recent flood worsened Jackson's long standing water system problems. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Water pressure slowly improved in Mississippi’s capital city Friday but officials outlined numerous challenges and occasional setbacks as they worked to restore running water from the city’s aging, neglected water system to all in the city of 150,000.

A minor leak in an ammonia tank forced officials to cordon off a part of a water treatment plant late Thursday, Jim Craig, a state health official said Friday. Staffers at the plant are having to constantly account for changes in sediment and chemical levels in water taken into the system after recent torrential rains and flooding, Craig added.

“It’s like fixing the airplane while you’re still flying,” Craig said at a Friday evening news conference with Gov. Tate Reeves.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba noted at one news conference that, once pressure is restored, there are worries about the strain on aging, brittle pipes.

And even when water is running again, it’s unclear when it will be drinkable.

Last week’s rains, followed by flooding of the Pearl River, exacerbated long-standing problems at the O.B. Curtis treatment plant, leading to a drop in pressure throughout Jackson, where residents were already under a month-old boil-water order due to poor water quality.

The problems led to a Monday emergency declaration by the Republican governor and a disaster declaration from President Joe Biden. Biden’s infrastructure coordinator, Mitch Landrieu, and Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell were in Jackson for a firsthand look at the problem Friday.

“This is a true testament to President Biden’s commitment,” Criswell said at an evening news conference with Reeves and other state officials. She toured the main water treatment plant earlier in the day with Reeves.

“Many are now experiencing normal pressure. Areas further from the plant and at higher elevations may still be experiencing low to no pressure,” the city said Friday morning.

But, among the setbacks: pressure dropped a bit at one point as treatment plant staffers had to deal with chemical imbalances in the water, Craig said Friday evening.

It’s all a continuing strain on residents, like 64-year-old Mary Gaines, a resident at a complex for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

“It’s a very nice place to live. We just ain’t got no water,” Gaines said. “And most senior citizens ain’t got no car, so we have to get water wherever we can.”

At his news conference Friday, the Republican governor repeatedly stressed what he called a unified state, federal and local response to the crisis, discounting any suggestion of a rift with the mayor or president, both Democrats.

He thanked Criswell and Landrieu for the help and noted that Biden had “quickly signed” a disaster declaration. Lumumba had not been invited to a Reeves news conference Monday as the crisis was unfolding and he was not at the Friday news conference. But he appeared with Reeves earlier in the day during a water plant tour and was part of a Thursday news conference.

Reeves didn’t address and hasn’t commented on remarks Biden made to reporters at the White House late Thursday.

“We’ve offered every single thing available to Mississippi. The governor has to act,” Biden told reporters. “There’s money to deal with this problem. We’ve given them EPA. We’ve given them everything there is to offer.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to elaborate on Biden’s remarks Friday. She confirmed that Biden and Reeves haven’t spoken to each other about the crisis, but downplayed the lack of a call, saying it was “not necessary to further any progress in this situation.”

Statewide, there is about $75 million specifically for water resources available through a bipartisan infrastructure law signed by Biden last year, Jean-Pierre said.

Biden was asked Friday whether he would visit Mississippi and said he had no plans to. Biden said he has been talking to people in Mississippi including Lumumba.

Residents in Jackson have long struggled with a faulty water system before the latest crisis.

The National Guard has been called to help with water distribution. The state emergency agency said close to 2.8 million bottles of water were handed out from midday Thursday to Friday afternoon. Non-potable water, for toilet flushing and other uses, was also being offered to people who brought their own containers to some sites.

The entire city had been without water or with low pressure at one point. Figures on how many homes and businesses had service restore were not available.

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McGill reported from New Orleans. Associated Press writers Michael Goldberg in Jackson, Rebecca Santana in New Orleans and Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.