Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

June 6, 2023

For years, the people of Jackson, Mississippi, have suffered the consequences of aging water infrastructure. Last summer, the city's water system reached a crisis point when a major flood aggravated longstanding problems in the system and left tens of thousands of people without any running water for days on end. Long before then, families in Jackson lived under the constant threat of "boil water" orders.

All Americans deserve access to clean, safe drinking water. That's why I directed my administration to make sure the people of Jackson have the resources they need and deserve.

In December, I was proud to sign bipartisan legislation to help stabilize Jackson's drinking water infrastructure and protect against future crises. Today, as a result of that legislation, I am announcing an initial $115 million investment towards repairing the city's water infrastructure challenges and delivering clean water for all.

This historic investment would not have been possible without Congressman Bennie Thompson, who has been a steadfast leader in times of crisis, a strong advocate for his constituents, and a great partner, and I want to thank him for his untiring commitment to the Jackson community.

While we have made a lot of progress, there is much more work to do to ensure that all Americans have access to clean water. Thanks to my "Investing in America" agenda, we're already deploying record resources to communities all across America to replace lead pipes, improve water quality, and rebuild the Nation's drinking water infrastructure, ensuring it can withstand the impacts of the climate crisis.

Until all our children can safely drink water from the tap, our fight for clean water must, and will, continue.

Categories: Statements by the President : Water infrastructure in Jackson, MS, funding. Names: Thompson, Bennie G.

Subjects: Climate change; Drinking water quality, improvement efforts; Lead service lines, replacement efforts; Mississippi, funding for water infrastructure in Jackson; Water management policy, improvement efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300500.

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