Jackson's troubled sewer system could soon see a new manager
A federal judge met with attorneys from the city and third-party water manager
A federal judge met with attorneys from the city and third-party water manager
A federal judge met with attorneys from the city and third-party water manager
Jackson's water and sewer systems could both come under a third-party water manager.
According to City Attorney Catoria Martin, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate gave the city of Jackson and third-party water manager Ted Henifin 14 days to present a written agreement that would combine the city's sewer consent decree with the stipulated order over water.
Wingate met with both parties Tuesday in federal district court in a status conference.
The city has been under a consent decree over its' sewer systems since 2012.
"When a judge leans over and says, 'I want you to do it,' it's generally a good idea to do it," said Mississippi College School of Law professor Matt Steffey.
Ashby Foote, council president, said the city has limited manpower to fix the sewage issues.
"This will be adding resources to the money he's already been promised from the federal government through the EPA. We will have extra resources and a level of management there with the third-party water manager," Foote said.
Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley said it's a sad turn of events that the federal government will have to fix the sewage problem, too.
"We should be doing our best to make sure we don't need taking over by anyone," Hartley said.
But for residents, it is an indication that a faster solution is on the way.
"We have constituents out here with sewage running down the street in their yards and they need immediate relief," Hartley said.
Nancy White is one of those residents. She has been dealing with the effects of sewage backing up into her Alta Woods home in Jackson for months.
"It was March 21. It's still not fixed. We are down to the studs. We have the floors out," White said.
White said the problem is caused by a broken sewer main in front of her house.
"Somebody needs to fix it," she said.
The Jackson Mayor's Office had no comment Wednesday and Henifin has not responded.