Jackson's Water Crisis Can't Be Disentangled From Race, Experts Say

"Recent flooding in Jackson, Mississippi, exacerbated the city's already failing water system. Experts say it's a familiar threat in disinvested communities of color."

"The water crisis in Mississippi’s capital city cannot be disentangled from racial inequities, experts say.

About 150,000 residents in Jackson were without safe water Wednesday. Excessive rainfall led to flooding of the Pearl River and problems at one of the town’s two water-treatment plants, causing the pumps to fail. Low water pressure has left many without water to drink, brush teeth or flush toilets."

Nada Hassanein reports for USA TODAY August 31, 2022.

SEE ALSO:

"Biden Pledges Support As Mississippi's Capital Still Without Drinking Water" (Reuters)

"Jackson's Water Crisis Stems From Years Of Racist Exploitation" (MSNBC)

Editorial: "Jackson’s Water Crisis Is A Warning For Other Cities" (Washington Post)

"Mississippi Crisis Highlights Climate Threat to Drinking Water Nationwide" (New York Times)

"Jackson, Miss., Shows How Extreme Weather Can Trigger A Clean-Water Crisis" (Washington Post)

"Mississippi Water Crisis Triggers Blame Game" (Politico)

"How Racist Infrastructure Caused the Jackson, Mississippi, Water Crisis" (Slate)

"In Jackson, Miss., a water crisis has revealed the racial costs of legacy infrastructure" (Brookings Institution)

Column: "The Confluence of Race, Class and Climate in Jackson, Mississippi’s Water Crisis" (Democracy Now!)

"Blame Game Rages As Water System Crashes In Miss. Capital" (E&E News)

"The Water Crisis In Jackson Follows Years Of Failure To Fix An Aging System" (NPR)

 

Source: USA TODAY, 09/02/2022