Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's capital city will soon start installing larger water pipes to replace some of the lines that failed during a deep freeze that struck the Deep South in February.

WLBT-TV reported that 48-inch (122-centimeter) cast iron water transmission lines have been arriving in south Jackson.

City engineer Charles Williams said officials gave the order Monday to proceed with the final phase of the project, which involves laying 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of pipes in the area.

The work will connect water transmission lines from the O.B. Curtis Treatment Plant to south Jackson. They will replace 24-inch (61-centimeter) pipes that failed to provide adequate water pressure from the plant during the winter storm.

Thousands of Jackson residents lost water service for weeks after the storm, and those with running water had to boil it because of the danger of contamination when pressure is low.

“We’re actually placing a new water main service, and then we’ll be taking off some of the existing service lines that are in the area that are smaller and tie it into that 48,” Williams said. “So, the improved capacity will help improve water pressure and also limit disruptions of service due to failed water mains.”

Brandi Spires has lived in Jackson 20 years and said she's pleased work is moving forward with replacing old water lines.

“That should help with the water outages and the water crisis,” Spires told WLBT. “I think also, as our system is up to date, it will prevent a lot of things from happening.”

The $8 million project is funded through federal money. Installation of the new pipes is expected to be complete by March 2023, depending on weather.