State Program Deficiencies and Inadequate EPA Oversight of State Enforcement Contributed to the Drinking Water Crisis in Jackson, Mississippi

The Mississippi State Department of Health, or MSDH, did not consistently enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act or provide adequate oversight for the Jackson public water system. The MSDH does not have implementation procedures for its compliance and enforcement program. Consequently, the MSDH did not take formal enforcement actions to compel Jackson to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA was unaware of the extent of issues at Jackson until it conducted an on-site inspection of the system in February 2020. The findings of the inspection prompted the EPA to use its enforcement authorities. The EPA may have taken action sooner had the MSDH conveyed information timely and accurately.