Winter Storm Knocks Out Drinking Water Systems in the South, Including in Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi made headlines and incurred a civil rights investigation earlier this year when flooding knocked out the city’s drinking water supply. This week’s winter storm had the same effect on Jackson as well as other Southern cities.

1 minute read

December 29, 2022, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A snow covered statue looks out over a blanket of snow at the White House, which is also covered in snow.

Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock

The winter storm blanketing the country has caused a citywide boil-water notice in Jackson, Mississippi, just a few months after flooding collapsed the state capital’s drinking water system.

In effect, the city of Jackson’s drinking water infrastructure has now failed at both ends of a spectrum of extreme weather—conditions likely to become more frequent and more extreme as climate change continues to take hold.

An article by Nick Judin for the Mississippi Free Press reports the news, noting the timing of the boil water notice—just a few days after Congress approved an omnibus spending bill that includes $600 million for Jackson’s water system.

“Jackson’s newly established interim third-party management team will soon enjoy a massive war chest to fund its revitalization of the water system, a project previously estimated to have a total cost of $1 billion,” reports Judin.

The latest emergency came with some warning. “Interim Third Party Manager Ted Henifin warned the Mississippi Free Press last week that the distribution system was still seriously at risk from a deep freeze,” adds Judin.

Jackson isn’t the only community in the South facing drinking water emergencies because of the winter storm. Memphis, Tennessee and Shreveport, Louisiana are under citywide boil-water notices at the time of this article’s writing.

Friday, December 23, 2022 in Mississippi Free Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

5 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

7 hours ago - Cities Today