WATER LAWSUIT INTERVENORS’ STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO RECENT COURT ORDER RE: JXN WATER RATE INCREASE 

February 24, 2026 – Community-based intervenors (Mississippi Poor People’s Campaign and People’s Advocacy Institute) in the EPA lawsuit express their continued opposition to a water rate increase, releasing the following statement:

We oppose the water rate increase and believe that the fiscal crisis that forced the rate increase was exacerbated by a lack of effective forecasting and accountability.  We also note that JXN Water has not acted on additional funding opportunities but instead has relied on monies raised during the previous administration (as noted by Judge Wingate).  Now, JXN Water is relying on residents to shoulder the gap.  

The Intervenor team (Mississippi Poor People’s Campaign and People’s Advocacy Institute) have been fighting for greater accountability and transparency for the Interim Third Party Manager and JXN Water from the beginning. We believe collaboration and public accountability is the way forward, and we are heartened that some of our proposals were incorporated into Judge Wingate’s order – including considering adjustments to the billing tiers and addressing premises receiving unbilled service. We proposed these and other measures not as stop-gap solutions in response to panic, but as part of a longer term vision of a 21st century water system that actually serves our city.

There are still many questions to be addressed in the implementation of this order, and we, as intervenors fighting on behalf of all Jackson residents and businesses, will continue our efforts to ensure fairness in this process.