US justice department sues city of Jackson over water crisis

The US justice department has taken drastic action regarding the crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, that has affected drinking water for its 150,000 residents for several months.

On Tuesday, the city of Jackson and the Mississippi health department signed an order agreeing to federal oversight of the failing water system, in an attempt to restore clean and safe drinking water.

The justice department filed a complaint on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against the city, for failing to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Several boil water notices have been issued to neighborhoods across Jackson, thanks to aging infrastructure and severe weather.

In August, the situation worsened after heavy flooding and power outages at well water facilities resulted in a water shortage.

In September, Derrick Johnson, the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) rang the alarm about racial inequity exacerbated by the water crisis, which predominantly affected Black residents.

City officials implemented months-long emergency distribution of bottled water.