JACKSON, Madam. — JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Water service is being shut off at several apartment complexes in Mississippi’s capital city due to long-unpaid bills, the company that operates Jackson’s water system said Wednesday.
JXN Water said in a statement that it has “made significant strides in improving the consistency and reliability” of water supply to customers in the city of about 144,000 people.
“To maintain our progress in improving the system, everyone must pay their fair share,” said the company, which is led by Ted Hennefinan administrator appointed by a federal judge in 2022 to oversee the water system.
About 25% of Jackson residents live in poverty and the city has struggled for years water quality problems and understaffing at the water treatment plants. The water system almost collapsed in August and September 2022, leaving tens of thousands of people without drinking water, bath water, cooking water or flushing water.
Henefin has said that the billing is inconsistent and Unpaid bills have exacerbated the system’s financial problems.
JXN Water said it contacted apartment managers multiple times and notified them of the disconnection before shutting off service. The disconnections were announced as temperatures in central Mississippi exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius).
“We understand the impact on residents who may not be directly responsible for the non-payment,” JXN Water’s statement said. “We encourage residents of impacted properties to contact their property manager immediately to understand what steps are being taken to restore service.”
WAPT-TV reported that water was turned off for part of Tuesday at Gardenside Apartments, where residents’ rent payments should include water service. JXN Water told the station that Gardenside Apartments managers had last paid the water bills in 2017 and that the complex’s past-due balance was more than $148,000.
The Associated Press called the complex’s management on Wednesday, but the call went through a voicemail box that was full and could not accept further messages.
Audwin Reese, a war veteran who lives at Gardenside Apartments, told WAPT he was checking on neighbors who were without running water, including a 93-year-old woman.