Commentary: Jackson, Mississippi, has a water crisis. Is there a permanent fix to it? – WS Chronicle

By Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

You and I dwell within the biggest nation on this planet. That’s what we imagine. It’s the land of the free and the house of the courageous.

It’s my opinion that we take a lot with no consideration in America. Meals, clothes and shelter have at all times been staples of the American lifestyle. Some merely have it in additional abundance.

International locations world wide battle mightily to have these on a regular basis requirements.

In our United States, we aren’t with out our trials and challenges. For instance, should you dwell on the West Coast, you’re vulnerable to forest fires. Should you dwell on the Gulf Coast or within the Midwest, you’ll be subjected to hurricanes and tornadoes, respectively.

Wherever we dwell, nature will discover us. These pure occasions occur to all of us. We modify our life to them, and we dwell our lives accordingly. 

I do know the place we dwell, we put together ourselves for hurricane season every year. Please know that I’m fairly aware of the phrases hurricane warning and hurricane watch. 

The state of Mississippi had a pure climate occasion not too long ago that affected the standard of life within the capital of Mississippi. The Pearl River overflowed and its capital, Jackson, was victimized by it. The nationwide information painted a darkish and disturbing image of the Metropolis with Soul when describing what was taking place there. Folks needed to go away their properties with barely the garments on their backs.

The scene was unhappy and residents misplaced rather a lot. Properties have been flooded and helpful possessions have been misplaced. The flooding led to 1000’s of residents not having the ability to drink the water. Ingesting water is fundamental to our existence but lots of the residents in Jackson have been denied this elementary proper. Voices in any respect ranges have weighed in on this water drawback. All appear to agree that this water subject wants some fast consideration and an overhaul.

In keeping with reviews, the town had been underneath a boil water advisory since July thirtieth. Final Monday, Mississippi governor, Tate Reeves, mentioned, “At present the tanks are full. Water strain is stable.”

He added, “Whereas there could also be extra unhealthy days sooner or later, we’ve, nonetheless, reached a spot the place individuals in Jackson can belief that water will come out of their faucet. Folks in Jackson can belief the bogs could be flushed.”

I’m on the surface wanting in on the feedback made by the governor.

Is it a victory as a result of the bogs will flush and the water will come out of the taps? I didn’t see in these feedback the phrases clear and protected. Did you?

It’s my considering that you really want your water to be clear and protected. We can’t neglect Flint, Michigan. The FEMA official appears to suppose in order nicely. He believes it’s too quickly to say when all Jackson residents can have protected water to drink. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell mentioned, “The main target proper now’s ensuring we will get bottled water out.”

On CNN Gov. Reeves mentioned, “There was lots of infrastructure injury that has been current for a few years.”

Chokwe Antar Lumumba, mayor of Jackson, agrees with him. He mentioned, “As I’ve at all times warned, even when the strain is restored, it’s not a matter of if these methods will fail, however when these methods will fail.”

Feedback made by each elected officers recommend they see the issue in a different way.

This drawback goes to be entrance and heart for some time. The residents there can’t let it fall off the radar display screen. Politics as an alternative of humanity have come into play. The mayor is a Democrat and the governor is a Republican. Put politics apart and provides the individuals what they need. 

What they need is clear ingesting water.

James B. Ewers Jr., Ed.D., is a former tennis champion at Atkins Excessive College in Winston-Salem and performed faculty tennis at Johnson C. Smith College, the place he was all-conference for 4 years. He’s a retired faculty administrator. He could be reached at overtimefergie.2020@nullyahoo.com.