EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers join response team at Jackson water plant

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have joined the local, state, and federal response team at Jackson’s O.B. Curtis Water Plant.

The joint effort is the result of President Biden’s emergency declaration that increases federal support to improve the Capital City’s water conditions.

In a new status report on Thursday, the city of Jackson also said the plant’s water pressure has increased to 78 PSI. The level was 40 PSI on Wednesday.

“The O.B. Curtis Water Plant made significant gains overnight [Wednesday] and into this morning [Thursday]. There are some challenges remaining to navigate over the next few days, but the outlook for today is currently continued progress,” the city said in a statement.

The city said over half of the tanks on the surface system have begun filling back up and it expects others to make gains as progress continues.

“Many areas throughout Jackson now have some pressure. Areas closer to the plant are experiencing almost normal pressure. Areas further from the plant and at higher elevations are still experiencing low to no pressure. This pressure will improve as the tank levels increase,” the city added.

Multiple contractors are on site at the O.B. Curtis Water Plant working Thursday.

“With the support of our partners at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health, we are also sourcing immediate staffing support including operators and maintenance staff. We have also begun the process of expediting some of the projects that were already being planned. These items each will contribute significantly to the stability of the OB Curtis plant,” the city said.

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