US Congress is looking into Mississippi capital's water calamity

(MENAFN) According to a letter written to Governor Tate Reeves by two Democratic congressmen, the United States Congress is examining a situation that left 150,000 residents in Mississippi's capital city without flowing water for several days in late August and early September.

Representatives Bennie Thompson and Carolyn Maloney asked Mississippi on Monday how it expects to spend $10 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and $429 million "particularly designated to strengthen the state's water infrastructure."

The letter marks the "start of a joint investigation" by the House Homeland Security and Oversight and Reform committees into the crisis that left Jackson's 150,000 residents without running water for several days in late August and early September, according to Adam Comis, a Homeland Security committee staffer.

Thompson represents the majority of Jackson and heads the Homeland Security Committee. The Oversight and Reform Committee is chaired by Maloney of New York.

Jackson has been dealing with water difficulties for years, and the most recent setback occurred in late August when heavy rain compounded problems at the city's primary treatment facility, leaving many homes without flowing water.

MENAFN18102022000045011137ID1105039073