EPA Report Blames Mississippi Health Department for Water Crisis

A recent report from the EPA's Office of Inspector General highlights significant failures by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) in overseeing Jackson's water system, contributing to the 2022 water crisis that left 150,000 residents without safe drinking water. The report indicates that from 2015 to 2021, MSDH did not adequately enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act or report numerous violations, including elevated lead levels, which obscured the system's operational challenges. It noted that MSDH's inaction allowed issues to compound over time, ultimately leading to the system's failure. Additionally, the EPA was not informed of critical deficiencies due to MSDH's lack of documentation and communication. The report suggests that both MSDH and the EPA share responsibility for the prolonged oversight failures, emphasizing the need for improved enforcement procedures. As of now, MSDH has yet to comment on the findings as it reviews the report.