JXN Water, the federally contracted operator of the capital’s water system, is working to increase revenue from water bills. The goal is to generate enough revenue so that the city no longer relies on federal funds and also has enough money to pay for sewer repairs.

Last year, JXN Water implemented a new rate structure that began appearing on residents’ bills in February. The changes include a higher price for the average ratepayer and a SNAP rebate that struggled to pass due to a dispute over recipient privacy (a federal judge ordered the release of SNAP data in April, though the U.S. Department of Agriculture has appealed the decision). The utility is also in the process of replacing the city’s notoriously unreliable water meters.

To get more people to pay their bills, JXN Water has also started baring its teeth and cutting off customers who don’t pay their bills. Manager Ted Henifin told Mississippi Today that so far the utility has prioritized cutting off water to communities that receive water without a bill and apartment buildings with large debts.

Given the history of Jackson’s water system, we want to know how residents are reacting to recent changes. How are residents coping with the new rates? What are their experiences with water shutoffs, especially when their landlord is responsible for payments?

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