The governor of the US state of Mississippi said that people in the state capital are on the verge of losing running water for an indefinite period of time, during a press conference at the main water treatment facility in Jackson, according to ABC.
Noting that the city is using backup pumps, Governor Tate Reeves said until the repair is complete, there will be no running water in Jackson, which will affect up to 180,000 people. Including firefighting.
The school district said all Jackson Public Schools will switch to virtual learning on Tuesday due to water shortages. “We will continue to closely monitor water conditions on a daily basis at our schools while consulting with city officials to determine when scientists and staff can safely return for in-person learning,” the district said.
No timetable has been set for when the main pump will be repaired, and Reeves said officials will distribute potable and non-potable water to residents.
On Friday, the governor was informed that Jackson would not be able to produce enough water for all of its residents, and the US network indicated that Reeves is regarding to declare a state of emergency, which will allow state officials to provide better assistance in Jackson.
The city said on Twitter that it would not cut off water to its residents, saying the water shortage was expected to last two days, and the governor declared a state of emergency on Saturday for parts of central Mississippi affected by major flooding that forced residents to evacuate.
Mississippi has begun maintenance and repair of Jackson’s water system. Officials warn city residents not to drink the water because it is raw water from tanks that is pushed through pipes.
