In late summer of 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a routine report to the Mississippi state government assessing their federal funding for water infrastructure projects. Despite the EPA’s conclusion of “no findings,” the very next day, on August 29th, up to 180,000 residents in the Jackson area were left without access to clean drinking water due to heavy rainfall causing the Pearl River to flood. This led to a state of emergency being declared by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba.
Following the crisis, a new report by researchers at the Project for Government Oversight (POGO) revealed that the EPA’s oversight of federal funding for water infrastructure in Jackson was lacking. The report highlighted a troubling trend where the EPA officials were aware of insufficient funding being provided to Jackson for necessary infrastructure improvements, yet failed to address this issue in their assessments.
The breakdown in communication within the EPA between different departments further exacerbated the situation, as the agency was diligent in flagging drinking water issues in Jackson but failed to address the lack of federal funding allocated for infrastructure updates. Despite being out of compliance with federal law, the EPA did not intervene to ensure the state was taking appropriate action to help the situation.
The historical neglect of Jackson’s infrastructure, compounded by shifting demographics and limited tax dollars for improvements, had already set the stage for a crisis like the one experienced in 2022. Decades of neglect and insufficient funding for crucial infrastructure updates left the city vulnerable to disasters like the one caused by the heavy rainfall.
The lack of transparency and accountability in the EPA’s oversight of federal funding for water infrastructure projects has had severe consequences for the residents of Jackson, where issues with contaminated water continue to persist. The ongoing crisis has also led to further population decline, with Jackson being identified as the fastest shrinking city in the nation.
Following the crisis, a federal judge appointed an engineer to manage the city’s water system, and in December 2022, the Biden Administration allocated $600 million in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to repair Jackson’s water system. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency in decision-making, particularly regarding the establishment of a private company to update the water system.
Efforts to address the water crisis in Jackson are ongoing, but the need for improved oversight and transparency in the allocation of federal funds for infrastructure updates remains a key issue highlighted by the POGO report. Environmental Policy Innovation Center director Janet Pritchard emphasized the need for clearer guidelines and increased engagement from the EPA to prevent future disasters and ensure that communities like Jackson receive the support they need.
