As Mississippi’s capital city continues to battle a water crisis, an outside donation from United Healthcare will provide clean water to expecting mothers and caregivers.
The $100,000 donation, which comes after repeated failures of the capital city’s water system in 2022, will provide free water filters to expecting mothers and caregivers with children that are five years old or younger. The filters can be picked up at Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center on W. Northside Drive.
During a press conference Wednesday, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba explained that the filters will be able to reduce the effects of the water quality while the city works to improve the stability of the system.
“At the height of the water crisis, we had so many corporations, cities, and residents providing bottled water to the city and it became more than we could maintain and far more than what we could deliver to the residents,” Lumumba said. “We indicated to them that we needed to restore confidence and if we could provide filters to residents, it would be a blessing and a benefit to our customers.”
Lumumba stated that he hopes the water filters will help residents feel more confident that the city’s water is safe to drink.
”When residents receive those notices, the precautionary notice that the Department of Health indicates that we have to put out, it creates a question whether I can drink this water, whether I’m safe, and whether my child is safe,” Lumumba said. “This is an effort to make certain that we’re sure that we’re sure, an effort to restore their confidence in the drinking water without them having to bear the burden of costs.”
Dr. Kesha Flantroy, who serves as director of women’s health at the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, said that she always encourages expecting mothers to consume more water.
“This will definitely impact them and increase the chances of them having a healthy baby, as well as we’re going to give it to those patients who have children who are five and below,” Flantroy added. “You’re not only helping mom, but you’re helping babies as well.”
Residents can pick up a free filter during the center’s hours of operation from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
