As reported by WaterWorld, the city of Jackson, Miss. entered a water emergency after pump failures at the O.B. Curtis plant. The plant’s issues came, in part, as a result of flooding and aging infrastructure.
Flooding
The O.B. Curtis water treatment plant treats 50 million gallons per day. It is located near the Ross Barnett Reservoir, where the plant draws its water. However, the reservoir also contributes to flood control for the watershed.
When a major rain event caused flooding throughout the city, the reservoir’s rising water level caused pump failures for the plant.
Ironically, the flooding was not as extensive or destructive as projects had anticipated, according to NPR.
The dangers of flooding continue to become more prevalent – especially as communities prepare for more extreme rain events under climate change.
Aging Infrastructure
But flooding was not the only cause of Jackson’s water troubles. In fact, the city had suffered from issues with water infrastructure for several years.
In 2021, winter storms and multiple days of below-freezing temperatures caused equipment failures at the O.B. Curtis plant. Many homes went without water for 18 days.
Since late July of this year, Jackson’s residents have already been under a boil water notice due to water quality issues.
And, at the time of the latest failure, the O.B. Curtis plant’s main pumps had actually been damaged and out of operation for about a month. The plant had been operating on backup pumps when the flooding caused another failure.
State and city officials have both stated that the city’s water plant had suffered from neglect for years.
This latest failure at the plant illustrates the two major challenges to U.S. water infrastructure in the future: climate change and aging infrastructure.
Jeremy Wolfe | Editor, Stormwater Solutions
Jeremy Wolfe is a former Editor for Stormwater Solutions.
