A week after water officials in Jackson announced that untreated sewage was leaking into the Pearl River, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is saying the discharge has contaminated water downstream.
Last week, JXN Water issued a statement that its west bank interceptor failed where it crosses Hanging Moss Creek on the west side of the state’s second-largest river, leading sewage to seep out of a pipe into the west side of the state’s second-largest river. This prompted officials to issue an advisory for the region, urging the public to avoid all contact with the water.
As of Thursday, the elevated bacteria-infested water had traveled as far south as the Rockport community, leading to an expansion of the public advisory.
According to state environment officials, the advisory now covers the stretch from the Swinging Bridge in Byram to the Na Sandifer Memorial Highway Bridge north of Monticello.
“Please avoid contact with the water in this area — including swimming, wading, and fishing — until further notice,” a statement from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality reads.
The sewer line leak has since been sealed. However, officials are continuing to monitor and test downstream conditions.
