Jackson Free Press

JACKSON — Early this morning the City of Jackson suddenly announced what it calls a "system-wide" water failure at its main facility, the J.H. Fewell Water Treatment Plant. At a special meeting of the Jackson City Council this morning, which was already scheduled, council members anxiously quizzed members of Mayor Tony Yarber's administration about what happened and when the repairs would be made.

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Marshand Crisler related what has happened so far to council. Two plants treat and supply the water to Jackson, and City staff first noticed the problem last night at 10 p.m. at the main facility. This morning, he said, they located an emergency generator for the power plant; however, the power is not the issue, it is somewhere in the system.

The City has not yet been able to determine the source of power outage and does not yet have a definite time when the water will be restored. The Department of Public Works said it would report back within 48 hours.

The City had located that generator this morning, but no one was able to answer council members' questions about whether there are backup generators at the plants.

The City's "limited budget" is to blame, Crisler said. He repeatedly promised to email answers to the council members' questions.

Worst case scenario, the City will have to switch to city supply from other plant. Andrada Butler, deputy administrator of Public Works, said that the other plant, the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, will be able to supply water and has 16 hours worth of water in tanks.

Council President Melvin Priester Jr., of Ward 2, asked for an update within 12 hours instead of 48; Councilman De'Keither Stamps of Ward 4 said he is surprised that backup generators aren't already in place.

Butler said the issue is more than a power supply problem; the system keeps shorting when turned on, and Entergy is on hand trying to help solve the problem.

The City issued an emergency alert this morning warning that Jacksonians need to conserve water until the problem is solved.

Here is the verbatim release:

Emergency Water Restriction Use Notice for the City of Jackson

Effective immediately, The City of Jackson has issued an emergency water use restriction for all customers served by the City’s Water System. The city’s Department of Public Works has determined that system-wide water conservation measures are needed at this time due to loss of power at the J.H. Fewell Water Treatment Facility.

While the emergency notice is in effect, all water system customers are required to limit indoor water use as much as possible and eliminate nonessential uses of water, which include the following:

• The use of hoses, sprinklers or other means for sprinkling or watering of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, flowers or other vegetation.

• The use of water for washing automobiles, trucks, trailers, trailer houses or other type of mobile equipment.

• The washing of streets, driveways, parking lots, service station aprons, office buildings, exterior of homes, sidewalks, apartments or other outdoor surfaces.

• The operation of an ornamental fountain or other structures making a similar use of water.

• The use of water for filling swimming or wading pools.

Customers should expect to experience low pressure during this period of time. The city greatly appreciates your assistance in ensuring that all customers will continue to receive safe, adequate and reliable water service.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call 601-960-2723 or 601-960-1777.

Here are tweets from the city council meeting the water crisis, verbatim and in order:

Stokes asked about the 4 am alert about the water.

Power outage at the plant, can't put water out, mayor rep says.

Not able to determine source of power outage, public works says.

Right now no definite time for when water will be restored, source of problem still unknown.

Public works will come back in 48 hours with update.

City found a generator this morning, but no idea when conservation notice will be lifted.

No one here to answer whether there are backup generators at plants, limited budget to blame, mayor rep says.

City found a generator this morning, but no idea when conservation notice will be lifted.

No one here to answer whether there are backup generators at plants, limited budget to blame, mayor rep says.

Answers to every question about plants have included, "I'll email you" instead of public explanation.

Public works rep says that other plant will be able to supply water, 16 hours worth of water in tanks.

Priester asks for 12 hour update instead of 48; Stamps says he is surprised that backup generators aren't already in place.

Rep from public works says it's more than a power supply problem, system keeps shorting when turned on.

Engineers already at plant, electrical engineers are the next step, fall back plan to divert OB Curtis to supply city.

City not sure how long the water supply will last from other plant, except for more than a few hours, won't go on record on estimation.

Entergy has been working with city to address issue, generator on site, looking for short in system.

Ordinance to require annual testing of water for lead and copper passes.

This story is developing ...

Email city reporter Tim Summers Jr. at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter for breaking city news @tims_alive.