Cold weather causes Jackson water main breaks, some schools left attending virtually

Mina Corpuz, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·2 min read

Issues within Jackson's water distribution system and several water main breaks forced four public schools to go virtual and others to hold classes at other schools Monday.

The water issues began week last during a cold front with below freezing temperatures, city officials said. Boil water notices have been issued for various parts of the city.

Jackson's Public Works Department is working to restore water pressure to communities in south Jackson, City Engineer Charles Williams said at a Monday afternoon press conference. The issue to expected to be resolved by the end of the week.

"We are seeing more water get out to the system ... but no we're not out of the woods yet," Williams said.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the water infrastructure issues affecting schools are an example of why investments need to be made now in the city's water system.

"It's not ideal," he said about schools going virtual or being relocated. "It is a disservice to our young people."

Water system: How Jackson's water system made it a focus in America's infrastructure crisis

Here are the schools that attended classes virtually Monday:

- Peeples Middle School

- Whitten Middle School

- Jim Hill High School

- Wingfield High School

On Monday, four schools had classes at other locations:

- Key Elementary School to Lester Elementary School

- North Jackson Elementary School to McWillie Elementary School

- Marshall Elementary School to Bates Elementary School/Cardozo Middle School

- Wilkins Elementary School (Kindergarten through second grade) to Clausell Elementary School

- Wilkins Elementary School (third through fifth grade) to Timberlawn Elementary School

The child nutrition team prepared meals to pick up at all schools shifting to virtual. After school programming for schools that are virtual was canceled Monday.

Jackson water system: Jackson's water system marked by a century of struggles

It is unclear whether the shift in learning for students was just Monday. Jackson Schools officials did not return calls for comment Monday.

Four precautionary boil water advisories affecting 88 connections were issued Monday due to recent loss in water pressure, according to a press release from the city.

The notices include Jim Hill High School, Isable Elementary School, Wingfield High School, Wilkins Elementary School, Peeples Elementary School, Key Elementary School and the Henley Young Juvenile Justice Center.

Customers are advised to boil their drinking water until adequate pressure is restored.

Water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute for the following activities:

  • Cooking or baking

  • Brushing teeth

  • Taking medication

  • Mixing baby formula or food

  • Mixing drinks or juices

  • Feeding pets

  • Washing food

  • Washing dishes

  • Making ice cubes

Reporter Mina Corpuz can be reached by email at mcorpuz@gannett.com. You can follow her on Twitter @mlcorpuz.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Four Jackson public schools go virtual due to water system issues