Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Jackson to EPA: Deadline? What Deadline?

That little ammonia leak wasn't quite so little as it managed to crash the entire Jackson water treatment system for several weeks.  The EPA wants answers and gave Jackson a deadline but the only part Jackson heard was dead as in drop dead.  

The EPA letter states the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant suffered an ammonia leak on June 16 which "caused treatment to be disrupted for more than two days."  EPA reviewed reports and discovered the PWS tank levels and water output was low.  The letter states: 

 the EPA and the City of Jackson on June 18, 2022, the City attributed the low production levels from the O.B. Curtis WTP to several conventional filters being down, inconsistencies in membrane train  operations, and the inoperable status of High Service Pump #2 at the O.B. Curtis WTP. Given low tank levels and ongoing severe hot weather, MSDH and the EPA recommended that the City issue a conserve water notice until the O.B. Curtis WTP could be restored to appropriate operations and tanks were allowed to fill. The City issued a Water Conservation Advisory on June 22, 2022. As of Friday, June 24, 2022, tank levels remained low and output pressure had dropped to 68 psi at 0. B. Curtis WTP. This loss in pressure led the City to issue a City-Wide Boil Water Advisory on June 24, 2022.

The EPA asked Jackson to answer some questions by July 6.  The questions are (pps. 5-6 in the letter posted below) are: 

1. Provide all communications regarding staffing issues at the water treatment plants.  

2. Identify whether any current positions at the plants are staffed or are planned to staff through use of a contractor.  If so, provide the contract(s).  

3. Provide all copies of unpaid invoices for staffing support for the water system. 

4.  Provide the number of hours and overtime hours each water plant operator worked for the last four weeks. 

5. List all open positions at the water treatments. 

6. How does the city maintain adequate pressure in the system when O.B. Curtis's high service line #2 is inoperable and how does it plan to bring it to operational status. 

It does not take a genius to see the EPA is taking a keen interest in the staffing, or rather lack of staffing, at the water treatment plants.  The EPA first raised the issue of staffing two years ago when it issued an emergency administrative order  (that the Lumumba administration covered up).  Staffing problems have plagued the water system for years.  

Remember that July 6 deadline? Well, Jackson being Jackson, the deadline came and went.  City Attorney Tori Martin told WLBT the city had not yet submitted the information Friday, 16 days after the deadline.  The EPA warned Jackson it could fine the city up to $62,689 per day of the violation.  

The City Council's Water Ad Hoc Committee was supposed to meet yesterday but the meeting was cancelled. 


35 comments:

Anonymous said...

The EPA only goes after red cities.

Anonymous said...

Jackson is Jacksoning so hard right now.

Anonymous said...

The City doent give a crap about the EPA-

Anonymous said...

Total administrative incompetence.

Anonymous said...

If it was an actual emergency like the garbage contract the city

Anonymous said...

To summarize, Jackson said "Who, me?"

Anonymous said...

No worries, Bennie will take care of it, special rules for those special people in Jackson.

Krusatyr said...

Are qualified applicants for staff available, are there prohibitive restrictions requiring residency in City Limits? Should Lil Choke just run his mouth out of town so a real mayor can run the city?

Anonymous said...

It's obvious that no one in this administration does a lick of work.

Anonymous said...

Bennie got the EPA in his pocket just like DOJ and FBI, no worries brothers, after all we are special.

Anonymous said...

Sadly, Jackson is acting like a deadbeat because that is the culture of its leadership. The mayor knows if Jackson is ordered to pay 62k a day fine, the City will give EPA a hug and a kiss but no money. Why? Jackson would like nothing more than to be declared bankrupt and ask Biden for a rescue plan—of course an “equitable” one that discriminates based on race and fills the pockets of Democrat politicians. And one that addresses climate change. Then all problems can be traced to (blamed on) some cause other than gross dereliction of leadership.

Anonymous said...

The dog ate our comprehensive and well drafted reply to the EPA, right.

Anonymous said...

Boo-boo water.

Anonymous said...

Everybody knows it's climate change causing the water problems in Jackson. Leave Chokewee, the imperial potentate, to handle more pressing matters.

He has consulted with Bennie, the poo, and as soon as Bennie has exited Covid protocols, which Bennie caught from ass kissing President Obiden by the way, there will be special appropriations sent forthwith to relieve this climate calamity. Fear, not.

Anonymous said...

Demanding a deadline to Jackson during the midst of this historic heatwave is the most racist thing I've heard today. Do better EPA!!!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, Organized Crime works so well.

Anonymous said...

Chokwe your a moron

Anonymous said...

12:58, you're dead on right! That's a perfect summation of what's going on right now! Baby Chock isn't worried about a THING, because he knows his race indemnifies him and his administration against any and all governmental threats. The proof is there. Anyone think a deep red city would be treated as "lightly" by the EPA as they are treating Jackson? Not in your wildest dreams.

Anonymous said...

SPOT ON @12:58pm! This is just another example of poor leadership and lack of accountability.

Anonymous said...

If they don't have competent personnel to run the plants, can you imagine what these conference calls with the Feds are like?

Anonymous said...

Why isn't the media swarming to Jackson, to report about the neglect that the city officials are showing to their impoverished, 80% African American citizenry?

Anonymous said...

@2:20pm Don't worry, it's coming....

Anonymous said...

Next step is for EPA to take over management of the water system @ charge the city taxpayers for providing the service. Both EPA, DEQ & MSDH tired of dealing with CoJ lack of compency & leadership.

Anonymous said...

@ 1:26

wait wait wait let me make sure I have this right. So because the EPA demanded some PAPERWORK associated with the SAFETY of DRINKING water, thats racist??

You cannot be serious. Letting people drink shitty water is racist.......trying to help them is the EXACT opposite.

Anonymous said...

1:26 Race didn’t have a damn thing to do with this ; so stop this BS. People will & can die bathing & especially if they drank your water. Open cuts on any age or person with compromised health issues. The Mayor you elected choose to not step up & do The Right Thing as he likes to say. The people deserve better & there is No Shame if the Mayor would ask for help! Throwing $$ Does Not fix it!

Anonymous said...

If KF is to be believed then Bennie Thompson won't help Lumumba. Too much bad blood.

Anonymous said...

3:33PM
You, sir, have been trolled.

Anonymous said...


some of y'all wouldn't know sarcasm, even if you caught it pissing in your cheerios.

Anonymous said...

Squat & Watch:
Richards Disposal & Water Treatment Services will get a $50 million "Emergency" contract who in turn will hire Garrett Enterprises for a $30 million subcontract who in turn will hire a competent water plant engineer/contractor for $10 million to do $5million in actual work-Never fear, Chockoway and the good DR will ensure the safe drinking water for all in Jxn.

Anonymous said...

There isn’t a single water professional in the suburbs who would keep their job if they worked in a manner that the city of Jackson employees work. At some point you have to hire competent people and get sh*t done. The only thing that will fix it is money, effort, and competency. Jackson has none of the 3.

Anonymous said...

3:07 PM
They're coming alright...for all the wrong reasons judging by their past performance.

Anonymous said...

2. Identify whether any current positions at the plants are staffed or are planned to staff...

Who the hell wrote or signed off on this crap letter? The above seems to indicate the possibility that the plant is not even staffed!

Anonymous said...

6:52 AM
>The above seems to indicate the possibility that the plant is not even staffed!
And this surprises you?

Anonymous said...

Perception of low water pressure

Wow said...

How can we organize a Recall vote?



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