Uncovering the Truth: Jackson's Water Woes and the Path to Compliance

In a recent status update, Jackson's interim third-party water manager, Ted Henifin, shed light on the city's water collection rate, shedding new insights on the challenges and progress made in bringing the system into compliance with federal regulations.

Navigating the Complexities of Jackson's Water Crisis

Debunking the Misconceptions: Examining Jackson's Water Collection Rate

Henifin, who was appointed to oversee Jackson's water system in November 2022 and later took on the city's sewer system, addressed the concerns surrounding the water collection rate. He emphasized that the "real number" is not just the collection rate, but the amount billed and collected. Using December 2022 as an example, Henifin revealed that while the city collected 90% of the billed amounts, the total billed was only half of what JXN Water, the third-party manager, is currently billing.In August, JXN Water sent out statements for approximately $9.8 million and collected $5.8 million, a 60% collection rate. However, Henifin noted that this $5.8 million was $1.4 million more than the city had been collecting when JXN Water took over. The data shows that in the 10 months before JXN Water assumed full billing responsibility in October 2023, the city brought in 57.8% of the $65.4 million in billed amounts, or $37.8 million. Between October 2023 and June 2024, JXN Water collected $44,180,516, more than 63% of the $69,896,100 billed.

Tackling the Sewer System: Resolving Emergency Failures and Addressing Backlogged Service Calls

Henifin also discussed the progress made on the sewer system since taking over in September 2023. He reported that all 215 emergency sewer failures listed in the court order have been resolved, a task he had initially estimated would take two to three years. Unlike the water takeover, Henifin was given no federal funds to make the repairs, meaning that all of them have been made using local dollars, which he described as "something that isn't normal in any city."Additionally, Henifin has whittled down a backlog of over 2,200 unanswered calls for service. When JXN Water took responsibility, they started investigating these locations and determining the issues. Henifin stated that they are now down to 200 remaining calls and expect to have the rest completed by the end of November, if not by the end of the year.

Reducing Water Losses and Addressing Lead Concerns

On the water side, Henifin has reduced overall water losses by approximately 15 million gallons per day, which has reduced the pressure on Jackson's two surface water treatment plants. The third-party manager has brought on several firms to utilize new technology in locating and addressing these leaks, though he acknowledged that it is still too early to determine the full impact of these efforts.Regarding lead concerns, Henifin said assessments are underway to determine where lead lines need to be replaced in response to the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule. So far, more than 500 locations across the city have been unearthed, with crews finding fewer than 10 with lead connectors. Henifin stated that these connectors have been replaced and, based on the assessments, he does not expect to find many more, as "there's just not very much lead in the Jackson water system."

Navigating the Challenges: Henifin's Efforts to Bring Jackson's Water System into Compliance

Henifin's appointment as the third-party manager over Jackson's water and sewer systems has been a crucial step in addressing the city's long-standing water crisis. Through his efforts, significant progress has been made in resolving emergency sewer failures, reducing water losses, and addressing lead concerns. However, the challenges remain, and Henifin continues to work diligently to bring the system into full compliance with federal regulations, ensuring that the residents of Jackson have access to safe and reliable water services.