www.clarionledger.com Open in urlscan Pro
151.101.130.62  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

News Sports Opinion Magnolia Advertise Obituaries eNewspaper Legals




NEWS


JXN WATER BILL INCREASES, COMMUNICATION ISSUES FOCUS OF EPA FEEDBACK MEETING.
SEE CONCERNS


JXN WATER STILL MAKING GREAT PROGRESS, RESIDENTS, EPA REPRESENTATIVES SAID

Grant McLaughlin
Mississippi Clarion Ledger


PlayPause
Sound OnSound Off

0:00
0:49
AD
0:15
SKIP
ClosedCaptionOpen ShareEnter Full ScreenExit Full Screen
  



The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice came to Jackson
Thursday to meet with local residents, provide updates and most importantly,
hear feedback about JXN Water, the city's third-party water management company.

And, boy did they hear it.

More than 40 residents showed up to the meeting Thursday night at Jackson State
University's E-Center off Raymond Road. Among them was a silent but watchful
U.S. House Rep. Bennie Thompson, who left before the meeting ended.

As soon as presenters opened the floor for questions, residents immediately came
after one of Third-Party Water Manager Ted Henifin's most controversial
initiatives since taking over the water system: A water availability charge.



"I can drink the water, but I can hardly pay for it," one resident said during
the meeting.

Ratepayers also addressed what they called a serious lack of communication
between residents and JXN Water's call center, which they said doesn't answer
the phone some of the time, and when it does, employees are less than helpful
with people wanting to start water service or have questions about their
billing.



In 2022, the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, which treats water for much of
Jackson and surrounding cities for drinking, bathing and cooking, completely
failed after the Pearl River flooded due to heavy rainfall. The ensuing crisis
caused repeated outages for the 150,000 residents who went days and weeks
without water to drink, cook, bathe or flush toilets.

State of City speech:Lumumba touts successes during the mayor's annual 'State of
the City' address



The United States Department of Justice stepped in and appointed Henifin to
oversee the system. In July 2023, the DOJ also gave Henifin management of the
city’s sewer maintenance. Henifin's receivership is slated to end in 2027, but
it will ultimately be left up to U.S. Judge Henry Wingate on whether that
timeline sticks.



Several residents present also said that despite the negative feedback, Henifin
and his team have made great strides in updating, repairing and maintaining the
city's water system.

Since taking over, JXN Water has winterized the water system, installed
thousands of new water meters, made efforts to replace broken water pipes, keep
better record of water data and also been providing quarterly updates to both
the federal government and rate payers about the ongoing project, among other
things.



"He's done an outstanding job, much better than the previous administration,"
resident John Wade said.


JACKSON RESIDENTS UNHAPPY WITH WATER AVAILABILITY CHARGE

During the meeting, at least seven residents raised concerns about JXN Water's
water availability charge, which saw ratepayers from everyday citizens to
restaurants and other businesses sometimes paying double the amount they used to
on their monthly bill, according to those that spoke.

Jim Wilkirson, an employee at Jackson Academy, said the school's water costs
went up by 40% practically overnight earlier this year, while other residents
said they had been charged with higher-than-anticipated rates because of the
water meters installed in front of their homes.

How much water is Jackson leaking?How much water is Jackson's system losing
nearly 2 years after takeover? Henifin gives update

Mayor's plan on JXN Water:Lumumba shares his plan on the future of Jackson's
water system. What he said



"I don't understand what (that money) is going to, just to have the right like
you say, to have water," Wilkerson said. "That's not fair for a business or for
an individual, it doesn't make sense."

One Jackson resident, Michelle Brown, said she didn't see how it's fair for JXN
Water to charge people higher rates for water bills if the goal was to get
people to pay their water bills, or why Jackson residents should foot the bill
for years of neglect to the system.

"I just don't think that it's fair for these lovely people to have to inherit
those (types of) billing costs," she said.

The water availability charge went into effect in January, increasing some
resident's water rates by 71 cents per day and some businesses by $89 dollars
per day or more. The water availability charge is based on the size of the
meter.


RESIDENTS UNHAPPY WITH LACK OF COMMUNICATION, PROBLEMS WITH JXN WATER CALL
CENTER

Also discussed during the meeting was JXN Water's call center, which is to be
available day and night. Residents said they often can't get people on the phone
and when they do, questions go unanswered.



"It took us at least three or four months to actually get an account, before we
even had water at our home that we purchased," one woman said. "When we did get
an account, it took them months to give us (a bill). Once we finally got that,
it wasn't accurate, and we couldn't get any answers."

One resident, Jessica Brown said she has had leaks on the street near her house,
but even when she calls JXN Water, they haven't followed up with about progress
made or if or when they might shut off her water to fix broken pipes in her
neighborhood. Other residents also complained that they woke up some days to
find the water shut off without any notice.

"They say they are listening, but I'm not sure where that information goes," she
told the Clarion Ledger after the meeting. "It's hard to know if it is going to
make a difference."


EPA, DOJ, UPDATES ON JXN WATER. WHAT COMES NEXT?

After the meeting was over, EPA Region 4 Director Kereima Newman said her team
will be sending the feedback given during the meeting to Henifin and also
government agencies who could use the information to potentially improve JXN
Water, though she did not give specifics.



The next meeting for residents to give feedback at will be Nov. 9 at 1054
Greymont Ave. in Jackson.

JXN Water spokesperson Aisha Carson was not able to answer questions about
ratepayers' concerns by press time Friday.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be
reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.



1 Trick To Hear Better For Under $200!Audien Hearing Aids|
AdAd
Learn More


Undo

Is This $99 Hearing Aids Better Than $5000 Ones?Audien Hearing|
AdAd
Shop Now


Undo

Here's an Estimated Price for a 1-Day Walk-in ShowerHomeBuddy|
AdAd


Undo

$99 Hearing Aids Better Than $2500 Ones?SeniorBetterLife|
AdAd
Shop Now


Undo

Avoid These 3 Things If You Are Constipated Or BloatedEmmaRelief|
AdAd


Undo

Connecticut: Say Goodbye To High Car Insurance Rates If You Live In These Zip
CodesUltimateInsurance|
AdAd


Undo



Hearing Loss? These Are Only $189 In Milldale   Audien Hearing Aids|
AdAd
Learn More


Undo

Milldale: Elevate Your Shaving Game TodayHarry's|
AdAd
Get Offer


Undo



MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1
Thingprimenutritionsecrets.com|
AdAd


Undo

Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free SampleDexcom|
AdAd
Try Now


Undo



Deal of the Day

Earn Up To $200 Cashback With Breville's New Coffee OfferREVIEWED|
USA Today NetworkUSA Today Network


Undo

Give Yourself A Boost With TikTok-Famous Bloom’s New Energy DrinkREVIEWED|
USA Today NetworkUSA Today Network


Undo
Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make
through our links may earn us a commission.


Recommended

Mississippi deputy accused of excessive force handcuffed suspectnews


Undo






More Stories

Overturned 18-wheeler release load of honeybees on Mississippi highwaynews


Undo

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart responds to Dylan Stewart's gun celebrationsports


Undo

Milldale: Dental Implant Offers For SeniorsBestSearches | Search Ads|
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links


Undo








Staff Directory Careers Accessibility Support Sitemap Legals Our Ethical
Principles Responsible Disclosure Subscription Terms & Conditions Terms of
Service Privacy Policy Your Privacy Choices
Contact Us Support Local Businesses Advertise Your Business Advertising
Acceptance Policy Help Center Licensing & Reprints Subscriber Guide Manage
Account Give Feedback
Subscribe Today Newsletters Mobile Apps Facebook X eNewspaper Archives
Jobs Cars Homes Classifieds Education Shopping 10Best LocaliQ Digital Marketing
Solutions
© 2024 www.clarionledger.com. All rights reserved.


News Sports Opinion Magnolia Advertise Obituaries eNewspaper Legals


Keep on reading


Mississippi deputy accused of excessive force handcuffed suspectA Simpson County
Sheriff’s Deputy appeared for an arraignment after he was indicted for using
excessive force against an arrestee who was handcuffed.The Clarion-Ledger


Undo

Audien Hearing Aids

1 Trick To Hear Better For Under $200!Audien Hearing Aids|
SponsoredSponsored
Learn More


Undo
Audien Hearing

Is This $99 Hearing Aids Better Than $5000 Ones?Audien Hearing|
SponsoredSponsored
Shop Now


Undo


Overturned 18-wheeler release load of honeybees on Mississippi highwayAn
18-wheeler "loaded" with honeybees overturned Monday on the highway in
Mississippi.The Clarion-Ledger


Undo

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart responds to Dylan Stewart's gun celebrationSouth
Carolina's Dylan Stewart was flagged after imitating firing a shotgun into Ole
Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Rebels QB got the final word:The
Clarion-Ledger


Undo

MHSAA announce C Spire Miss Volleyball winners for 2024MHSAA announced the
inaugural C Spire Miss Volleyball winners for the 2024 season on Tuesday. See
the full list of winners.The Clarion-Ledger


Undo


Mississippi hunter shoots charging mountain lion on elk hunt in UtahAn elk hunt
in Utah was a dream come true for a Mississippi hunter, but when a mountain lion
charged him, it almost became a nightmare.The Clarion-Ledger


Undo

Hurricane Milton updates: Storm has 180-mph winds, targets FloridaMilton was
tracking across the Gulf of Mexico bound for what could be a devastating crash
along Florida's already storm-battered western coast.The Clarion-Ledger


Undo

Audien Hearing Aids

Hearing Loss? These Are Only $189 In Milldale   Audien Hearing Aids|
SponsoredSponsored
Learn More


Undo
HomeBuddy

Here's an Estimated Price for a 1-Day Walk-in ShowerHomeBuddy|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo


Jackson MS JPD arrest one after one died in shooting West McDowell RoadJackson
police arrested a 25-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed a 42-year-old
man Friday in South Jackson.The Clarion-Ledger


Undo

Vanderbilt fined $100,000 by SEC after field storming in Alabama upsetThe
Southeastern Conference announed Vanderbilt was being fined $100,000 after fans
stormed the field following the upset win vs. No. 2 Alabama.The Clarion-Ledger


Undo