Underinvestment in water has consequences
Jackson, Mississippi water crisis reminds us of the importance of safeguarding this precious commodity.
Summary: Recent flooding, operational failures and under-staffing at Jackson, Mississippi’s primary water treatment plant, combined with decades-long infrastructure decay, resulted in an indefinite failure in the supply of safe tap water to Jackson’s 180,000 residents.
Why this is important: By 2030, water demand is expected to exceed current supply by 40 percent unless water is decoupled from economic growth. Impaired drinking water is not just a developing world issue, as this story demonstrates.
The big theme: Water is the critical resource to sustain life on this planet. It is essential for our bodies and those of the other living species on the planet as well as being an important resource in industry. Its availability, especially in potable form, is a macro risk factor as well as being an opportunity for innovation that investors can drive.
The details
Recent flooding, operational failures and under-staffing at Jackson, Mississippi’s primary water treatment plant, combined with decades-long infrastructure decay, resulted in an indefinite failure in the supply of safe tap water to Jackson’s 180,000 residents. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency in and around Jackson, the state capital and largest city. The state health department has warned that tap water is “not even safe to brush teeth with or give to pets”. Residents had previously been advised to boil all water before drinking. The Federal Emergency Management Agency head said it is still too soon to say when all Jackson residents will have safe running drinking water.
