JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued a water quality advisory on Tuesday, May 25 for areas of the Pearl River near the Savanna Wastewater Treatment Plant and for 11 creeks in Jackson. “It’s definitely an ongoing issue, there’s a lot of history,” said Andrew Whitehurst, Water Program Director at HealthyGulf [.]
By The Associated Press
May 24, 2021 | 5:31 PM
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) People are being advised for the third year in a row to avoid swimming, fishing and other recreational activities in the river and creeks in Mississippi’s capital city, after a recent evaluation from the state environmental agency.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued a water quality advisory for 11 Jackson creeks and areas of the Pearl River near the city’s Savanna Wastewater Treatment Plant in south Jackson, The Clarion Ledger reported.
The advisory is the result of wastewater overflows from the plant and sewer infrastructure problems across the city, officials say.
The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality (“MCEQ”) and Tishomingo County Airport (Belmont) (“Airport”) entered into a May 18th Agreed Order (“AO”) addressing an alleged violation of the Mississippi Code related to discharges of waste into waters of the state. See Order No. 7122 21.
The alleged violation involved expiration of a general stormwater permit.
The AO states that MCEQ on December 12, 2019, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection (“CEI”) at the Airport which is located in Belmont, Mississippi. The AO cites the following alleged violation:
A. Violation of MS. Code Ann. § 49-17-29(2b): which states in part that . . . it is unlawful for any person to carry on any of the following activities, unless that person holds a current permit for that activity from the Permit Board as may be required for the disposal of all wastes which are or may be discharged into the waters of the state. . . (iii) the construction, installation or operation of any
JACKSON ⢠People are being advised for the third year in a row to avoid swimming, fishing and other recreational activities in the river and creeks in Mississippi s capital city, after a recent evaluation from the state environmental agency.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued a water quality advisory for 11 Jackson creeks and areas of the Pearl River near the city s Savanna Wastewater Treatment Plant in south Jackson, The Clarion Ledger reported.
The advisory is the result of wastewater overflows from the plant and sewer infrastructure problems across the city, officials say.
Many of Jackson s water and sewer pipes are old and need to be replaced. Overflows can be caused by excessive water flow, collapsed pipes and the dumping of fats, oils and greases into the system.