Updated Aug. 31, 2022 11:49 am ET

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More than 150,000 people in Jackson, Miss., faced a third day of unreliable running water on Wednesday as officials scrambled to repair the capital city’s neglected water infrastructure and provide clean drinking water.

A water crisis that officials said was decades in the making crescendoed Monday when flooding overwhelmed the city’s main water-treatment plant, slowing water pressure across Jackson. Residents who had complained about having to boil tap water during previous crises now faced a new challenge as they waited for state and city officials to distribute bottled water.

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HONOLULU — Four families filed a federal lawsuit against the United States alleging “negligence, trespass, nuisance, and medical malpractice resulting in physical and emotional injuries” caused by the jet fuel leaks that contaminated drinking water in Oahu on Wednesday.

The families are trying to hold the U.S. military accountable for tainting public drinking water with jet fuel from the Red Hill bulk fuel storage facility near Pearl Harbor.

Austin-based Just Well Law and Honolulu-based Hosoda Law Group filed the lawsuit in the District of Hawaii on behalf of the Feindt, Freeman, Simic and Wyatt families. The lawsuit was filed under the Federal Torts Claims Act, which states that the U.S. “shall be liable for actual or compensatory damages.”

The families are looking for “accountability and the truth and change,” Kristina Baehr, attorney for Just Well Law, told USA TODAY. She started filing tort claims for families earlier this year. 

This case “signifies an opportunity for change because the government is not going to make change unless they are held accountable,” she said. “They didn’t warn these families that their water was contaminated when they knew it was contaminated – that’s poisoning.” 

Amanda Feindt, an active military member and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, called the filing “monumental.”

“There was no sense of urgency (by the military), no accountability for (the water contamination), no apology to parents for lying to us,” she said.

Feindt said her family can’t afford testing and medical treatment caused by the contaminated water. “Our only option is to file a lawsuit,” she said. “My thought is if you’re poisoned by the military, you’re covered by the military for life.”

‘HIGH LEVELS’ OF PETROLEUM:Hawaii families impacted by Navy’s jet fuel leak worry about cancer, prepare legal action a year later

In 2021, two jet fuel leaks occurred at the Navy’s Red Hill bulk fuel storage facility – one in May and one in November, with the latter totaling around 19,000 gallons. Due to the leaks, petroleum and other toxic chemicals entered the local water supply, which around 93,000 people use. The lawsuit alleges that the second leak was caused by a “negligent ‘operator error.'”

The Navy failed to immediately disclose news of the fuel leak to families, who continued to consume tap water. Families were often given conflicting updates about the drinking water. 

Feindt told USA TODAY her family moved into military housing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in early May and experienced symptoms of being sick “almost immediately.” They had no idea about the May spill. “We just assumed we would be informed of any public health issue, which is anyone’s expectation, especially when you’re living on a military base,” she said. 

GOING SOLAR:In ‘aggressive’ step toward clean energy, Hawaii is closing its only coal power plant

Since then, Feindt said her family’s life has “turned completely upside down.” 

When her family felt sick, Feindt said they were denied toxicology testing by military doctors. After months of asking about safety protocols, she chose to pull her two young children – a two-year-old son and four-year-old daughter – out of the Child Development Center, which was also located on the contaminated water line. 

Following months of advocating and living in a hotel, her family was compassionately reassigned to Colorado. Her husband has had to quit his job and is unable to work because he’s “in so much pain,” Feindt said, and experiencing internal bleeding and gastrointestinal issues. As detailed in the suit, her children are experiencing “behavioral issues.”

Since March 2022, the government has consistently said the water is safe for drinking, although many have said they continue to feel sick.

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While school was out, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) helped them make sure drinking water was safe upon students’ return to the classroom. Throughout the school year – and especially during summer break – EGLE works with schools to provide technical assistance, guidance and resources for schools who reach out for help or want more information on their drinking water quality.

EGLE created the school drinking water program to promote healthy drinking water in school and childcare buildings,” says Holly Gohlke, school drinking water coordinator. Funds for the program are geared toward schools and childcare facilities.

Holly Gohlke

Since September of 2020 when the program started, 206 schools and childcare facilities have participated in it. “Since this is entirely a volunteer program, I applaud the facilities that have reached out to EGLE to get their water tested for lead, and for those that had elevated test results, pursued reducing the risk of lead for the health and welfare of the children they serve,” Gohlke added.

Gohlke explained the program in detail on an episode of Central Michigan University’s Charter Central Podcast.

“Stagnant water is the number one cause of bacteria, lead and copper problems in any plumbing system, and the shutdown of the schools due to the pandemic really exacerbated drinking water quality problems,” said Gohlke. “Even newer buildings may have some small amounts of leaded materials in their plumbing. So, everyone needs to be conscientious of this and test the water for lead to see if there is an issue. Some of the things that we recommend is a good flushing program for schools to remove any of that leaded material in stagnant water out of the plumbing system.”

Five steps are needed to ensure healthy drinking water prior to student and staff return:

• Thoroughly flush the water system in August.
• Refresh drinking and food preparation taps immediately prior to the return of students (run the water for 30 seconds to a minute at least once a day).
• Replace all filter cartridges and maintain water use appliances/devices.
• Test the water for bacteria, lead, and copper to ensure the water’s quality.

To provide guidance to schools, EGLE developed two documents on flushing. One is for flushing once or twice a year. The other document covers what we call a fresh tap flushing method, where water at the fixture is run for 30 seconds to a minute. That guidance and other information is on EGLE’s school drinking water website.

Gohlke notes that one purpose of the school drinking water program is to focus on education upfront, to prepare everyone — teachers and students – about the health effects of quality drinking water, what testing involves, and the ways to reduce the risk of lead in the drinking water. And it’s important to have a positive message: quality drinking water is important for development and for your body overall. As a matter of fact, our tagline is Healthy Water, Healthy Kids.

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ROCKDALE, Texas (KXAN) — “Feces brown,” said Robert Spencer, holding his water filter.

“It gets clogged up,” he said. “If this wasn’t filtered, this would be in the drinking water. You fill up the bath and it looks like someone poured a cup of coffee in the bath water.”

His faucet water runs – mostly – clear, thanks to the filters, which Spencer said were a necessity.

“Everyone is entitled to clean drinking water,” he said. “I want to see some action.”

Locals fed up with Rockdale’s red water, city hit with 3 violations

City Manager Barbara Holly said the murkiness is “either going to be from the iron and manganese, which is less likely, it’s more likely to be breaking free from the cast iron pipes.”

In 2020, the Texas Water Development board approved $27.4 million in financial assistance to replace the old pipes and overhaul the wastewater system.

“We should have been under construction by now,” said Holly, who added that the City is already paying back money on the loan portion of the assistance funding. “We need to get under way and we need to have our plans approved so we can get under construction.”

She claims the state has moved slowly since the funding was approved.

We asked the Texas Water Development Board about the status of the project. A spokesperson provided the following statement:

We have been working closely with the City regarding the funding commitments and process and requirements for reimbursement. The TWDB has reimbursed the City for all planning phase expenses it has submitted. Currently, the TWDB is reviewing the City’s Categorical Exclusion Environmental Review request and has provided comments to the City on its Engineering Feasibility Report. When those two deliverables are approved, the City’s planning phase will be complete and the City’s design phase activities will be eligible for reimbursement. We will continue to work closely with the City on this important project.

Texas Water Development Board

As the bureaucratic process persists, so do the city’s water woes.

“Diluted coffee,” Spencer said, while looking at some of the water that didn’t make it through one of his filters.

He’s found a way around the issue for now – by using the filters – but he says it’s costly.

“These filters are designed to last six months to a year, but I’m only getting two months out of them,” he said.

According to our previous reports, the City increased residents’ water bills to bring in additional revenue to help fix the problem.

Holly said she hopes the project will go to bid in December.

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Some residents of Bloomington have reported a taste of “dirt” or “mildew” in their drinking water.  

The taste comes from methylisoborneol and geosmin, two organic compounds that can affect the taste and smell of water, according to City of Bloomington Utilities.

[Related: Bloomington utilities department responds to water taste, odor issues] 

The presence of the two compounds creates a musty or earthy taste and smell, according to the post.  

CBU uses Powdered Activated Carbon, Copper Sulfate and Sodium Permanganate to treat the compounds, but warm and dry periods cause them to persist after treatment. CBU tests their water multiple times per day, according to their website. The most recent water quality data is also available. 

A trick to mask the taste and smell of the compounds, according to CBU, is to put drinking water into a pitcher or jug and then mix it with lemons or other fruit.  

According to CBU there is no risk to human health. If residents have any questions, they are encouraged to call 812-349-1444.

[Related: Indiana ranks highest in nation for miles of polluted waterways, report finds]

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The state of Mississippi is responding to the failure of Jackson’s water treatment system.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is setting up a command center at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, and working to distribute drinking and non-drinking water throughout Jackson and Byram in conjunction with the National Guard.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Water Distribution Sites:

(This page will be updated as additional sites are announced)

 Hawkins Field Airport on August 30 and September 13 from 2:00 until 5:00 pm.

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Water makes up a substantial part of our bodies. It exists in the forms of urine, sweat, cerebrospinal fluid, cytoplasm, serum, saliva, nasal secretions, and plasma. We need to drink enough water for sound health and reduce the risk of dehydration. The majority of us get baffled about the right amount. Meanwhile, we must pay attention to how water is ingested. Ayurveda is one of the ancient holistic health sciences, and it has documented every essential edible, potable and herb for our wellbeing. Apart from several methods to treat illnesses and health issues, Ayurveda has methodically mentioned the right way, amount, kind and time to drink water.

Its principles contend that how you choose to drink water has a bearing on your general health. Thus, it highlights that water intake doesn’t simply mean gulping gallons of water. Now the question arises: Are you drinking water the recommended way?

Let’s do it the Ayurvedic way!

Start the day with water

Drinking water as the first thing every morning is a good practice, says Ayurveda. It’s called Ushapan. When you drink it upon waking up, it aids your body in flushing toxins out, and your intestines are cleansed.

Sit down to sip it

Often we don’t pay attention to our posture while eating and drinking. In a hurry or when we are parched, we guzzle down water in a standing position. Do you know this unmindfulness can lead to joint pain and kidney malfunction? Drinking water in standing position strips of water’s nutritional value to reach different body parts. Ayurveda suggests one must sit down, drink water, and let it pass through the organs. 

Clean drinking water, Image Credit: Pexels

Take thirst as a sign

When your body needs water badly, it will alert you with signals. According to Ayurveda, you should only drink water when thirsty. The same amount of water cannot be advised to everyone because each person has a unique body. Knowing your cues for thirst is essential since the body cannot absorb too much water. Try avoiding becoming overly full.

Slow drinking does a lot of good

Never go to a point when you gulp down water in a hasty manner to quench your thirst. No matter how parched you are, drink it sip by sip and relaxedly. The saliva in your mouth blends when you consume water. It supports maintaining the stomach’s acid balance.

Say no to cold water

Boiling water, Image Credit: Unsplash

Wondering why? Compare your digestive system with the gas stove in your kitchen. It functions well when the heat ratio is in place. Likewise, the moment you consume cold water straight from the refrigerator, it takes a toll on your digestive heat. And it leads to several unnecessary complications. Ensure that you are drinking warm or room-temperature water. 

Concentrated water does wonders

We all know that many food, essence, and drinks work wonders when consumed in concentrated form. It applies to water as well. Instead of buying commercially hyped water claiming numerous health benefits, DIY at home. To improve digestion, boil clean water and reduce it to half or one-third or one-fourth of its original volume. For example, condense one litre of water to 500 ml and drink it. 

Follow these simple tips, and experience how water can boost your health. 

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Bürkert will be highlighting the benefits of its range of monitoring and control equipment that offers precision and simplicity in operation, as well as a virtual environment that enables visitors to explore different applications. 

One of the major challenges for the industry is maintaining high water quality. The Type 8905 online analysis system offers automated water quality monitoring for a wide range of applications. This multi-channel, modular system regularly tests a range of parameters including pH, chlorine, conductivity, ORP, turbidity and temperature, with the latest module enabling monitoring of iron levels accurate to 0.03 ppm by volume. This ground-breaking device greatly improves the reliability of data and reduces the time and effort required to collect it. 

Bürkert is also an expert in process automation and will have two versions of its pneumatic valve islands on display. One of the major advantages to these valve islands is the LCD display for each control circuit, which provides real-time feedback on the status of the process, which simplifies commissioning and maintenance. 

Find out more, visit Bürkert at WWEM 2022.

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Declaring the City of Jackson’s ongoing water crisis an immediate health threat, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Monday night issued an emergency order directing the state’s Emergency Management Agency to install an “Incident Command Center” at the city’s O. B. Curtis water treatment plant near the reservoir.

MEMA, in conjunction with the state Department of Health, will “begin operating tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to begin emergency maintenance and improvements,” Reeves said.

The timing of the order resulted from information that Curtis was operating well below capacity which could result in no water pressure for most of the city in coming days, Reeves said.

Neither of the plant’s primary pumps were currently operating, Reeves said, leaving only backup pumps. Additionally, “there have been too many cases of raw water from the reservoir being pushed through those pipes,” he said.

Dr. Daniel Edney, state health officer, said water testing conducted by the Mississippi State Health Department over the past month has determined the water currently provided by the city is unsafe.

“The water is not safe to drink or even brush your teeth with,” Edney said, adding that any use of tap water for cooking or consumption “needs to be fully boiled.” 

Reeves avoided using the word “takeover” or directly criticizing Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba during the press conference.

“I’m not going to play Monday morning quarterback,” Reeves said when asked if he thought Lumumba and other city officials have been transparent about the severity of the problem.

Nor did Reeves directly criticize plant operators.

“There are existing operators who are knowledgeable, capable and competent. They have been doing heroic work,” Reeves said, but he added, “there just aren’t enough of them.”

Reeves said he wants to work cooperatively with the city to find long-term solutions.

Lumumba was not present at the conference, and Reeves said he had not talked with the mayor personally, but that MEMA officials did meet with the mayor earlier in the day. He said the the City of Jackson would be responsible for one half of the costs incurred by the state in addressing the problems, but also promised workers, “You will be paid — the state is owning that guarantee.”

Reeves said until the state sets up base at Curtis he could give no timetable on when the problems may be fixed. Until then MEMA will also be providing bottled water for the city’s roughly 160,000 citizens, as well as those in Byram who depend on Jackson’s water.

“This will be a massively complicated task. We have the best possible leaders, but it will still not be easy,” Reeves said.

Steve McCraney, Executive Director of MEMA, said the bottled water will initially be provided at the city’s fire stations, with an expansion to other sites anticipated later. 

Non-potable water, unsuitable for drinking but adequate for flushing toilets and some other uses will also be made available, he said.

“We have 38,000 bottles in storage and additional 18-wheelers on the way,” McCraney said.

Up to 4,500 National Guardsmen will be assisting MEMA with the water distribution efforts, he said.

In additional to the Curtis plant that is designed to treat up to 50 million gallons of water per day, the city also operates the older Fewell plant near Belhaven which is designed to produce 20 million gallons per day.

Additionally, some southwest area residents are served by a separate city-owned well water system, which has also experienced pressure problems. Health Department officials said they would be looking at problems at all three of the facilities.

Asked whether he would be heeding advice from some Jackson area lawmakers who have asked the governor to call a special session of the Legislature to address the water problems, Reeves said, “I appreciate their concern but right now we have to focus on the immediate crisis.”

To the citizens of Jackson, Reeves said, “Don’t panic — we are going to be there for you.”

The water crisis rippled through Jackson’s schools and universities.

Jackson Public Schools announced Monday afternoon that they were set to go online only Tuesday after two of its schools had moved to remote learning Monday. Jackson State University’s Twitter account announced it would pivot to virtual instruction for the remainder of the week. Belhaven University announced late Monday all in-person classes were canceled Tuesday. Millsaps and Tougaloo had not made public announcements late Monday.

Reeves said he was concerned for the students who faced virtual learning.

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Virridy, a Boulder-based water-supply monitoring company that’s a trade name for SweetSense Inc., is partnering with the University of Colorado and nonprofit organization Millennium Water Alliance on an initiative to help secure access to drinking water for people living in parts of the world impacted by climate change.

“Under the partnership, the three organizations are combining water monitoring technologies with expertise in carbon finance and water supply services to break down the barriers to reliable water supplies,” the company said in a news release. “The partnership is already supporting millions of people’s water supplies in Ethiopia and Kenya, with plans to rapidly expand over the next 12 months.”

According to Virridy, communities in east Africa are often unable to afford upkeep on water pumps installed by international aid organizations.

“The Mortenson Center in Global Engineering and Resilience at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Millennium Water Alliance, and Virridy have come together to eliminate this funding challenge and deliver consistent water supplies beginning in rural communities in Ethiopia and Kenya,” the release said. “The partnership combines the University of Colorado Boulder’s specialization in methods, tools, and evaluations to improve water services, Virridy’s technologies and climate finance business model, and MWA’s on-the-ground partnerships with water service providers and communities in Kenya and Ethiopia.”

In June, Virridy closed on a $5.5 million Series A fundraising round to accelerate the development of “satellite-connected sensors for managing water, energy, and agricultural resources,” the company said at the time.

“Partnering with organizations including the National Science Foundation, USAID, the World Bank, NASA, the Millennium Water Alliance, and Swarm Technologies, Virridy is monitoring the water supply of more than four million people to help maintain consistent supplies,” the release said. “In Kenya and Ethiopia, Virridy’s low-cost, satellite-linked sensors monitor water boreholes, enabling government agencies responsible for maintenance to effectively deploy resources to minimize borehole downtime to ensure communities have consistent access to well water for livestock and crops.”

This article was first published by BizWest, an independent news organization, and is published under a license agreement. © 2022 BizWest Media LLC.

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