Clean Water Current

The State of Mississippi has issued five Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) requests in response to problems with drinking water treatment for the City of Jackson.  Jackson has been under a boil water advisory since July, and recent heavy rains caused flooding at one of the city’s water treatment plants.  This resulted in low or no water pressure for up to 180,000 residents of the city. 

The city reported September 6 that it is now meeting its pressure goals and tank storage levels have been restored.  However, further repairs and adjustments still need to be made.  The EMAC request is for 35 personnel, including electricians, mechanics, instrument technicians, water and membrane operators, and general maintenance workers.  Deployments are expected to last 15 days. 

NACWA members that can assist are asked to do so, and utilities that can help with these requests should work with their state’s EMAC Coordinator. 

The state Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARNs) allow water utilities to assist one another with personnel and equipment following natural or human-caused emergencies.  EMAC is a mutual aid agreement between states, and it may be used by utilities in addition to their state WARN. 

NACWA encourages its members to be members of their state WARN, and to consider EMAC requests from other states when appropriate.  Please contact Cynthia Finley, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, with any questions.