Jacobs wins 10-year water treatment contract in Jackson, Mississippi

Jacobs has been awarded a 10-year water treatment contract by JXN Water, reinforcing its long-term role in Jackson, Mississippi‘s water infrastructure management. The agreement follows a short-term operations and maintenance (O&M) contract that helped improve drinking water quality and service reliability for nearly 180,000 residents in and around Jackson.

With this expanded commitment, Jacobs will operate and maintain Jackson’s water treatment system, including the O.B. Curtis and J.H. Fewell water treatment plants, as well as the city’s groundwater wells, booster stations, and water storage tanks. The contract also includes comprehensive programmatic oversight, ensuring that Jackson’s water system complies with regulatory standards and delivers a safe, consistent water supply for residents.

What Challenges Has Jackson’s Water System Faced?

Jackson’s water infrastructure has been in crisis for years, with aging pipelines, frequent system failures, and unsafe drinking water affecting the city’s residents. The most severe water crisis occurred in 2022, when thousands of homes and businesses lost access to clean water due to catastrophic infrastructure failures.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has flagged water safety concerns in Jackson, highlighting issues such as bacterial contamination, lead exposure risks, and treatment inefficiencies. The city’s water system has also faced compliance challenges under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and has struggled to meet federal and state water quality standards.

Jacobs’ expertise in water treatment contract management positions the company as a key player in stabilising Jackson’s water supply. With a proven track record in infrastructure rehabilitation, Jacobs will implement systematic improvements to ensure long-term water sustainability.

What Role Will Jacobs Play in Modernising Jackson’s Water Infrastructure?

Jacobs has already made significant strides in improving Jackson’s water infrastructure management. Since taking on the initial short-term contract in early 2023, the company has repaired and replaced critical components to restore system reliability. It has also enhanced treatment processes to improve drinking water quality and upgraded operational protocols to ensure better water treatment efficiency.

With the new 10-year water treatment contract, Jacobs’ scope of work expands to include regulatory compliance oversight to align with EPA standards. The company will also lead infrastructure rehabilitation efforts, addressing long-standing maintenance backlogs and preventing future system failures. Additionally, Jacobs will play a key role in workforce training and development, ensuring a skilled workforce is in place to support long-term water infrastructure management. The company will also oversee the design and construction of capital improvement projects, further modernising Jackson’s aging water treatment facilities.

Jacobs’ Executive Vice President of Design-Build and Operations Management, Greg Fischer, emphasized the company’s dedication to delivering a sustainable water solution for Jackson. He stated that Jackson’s residents have struggled for years with unreliable drinking water quality and service disruptions and that Jacobs understands the great responsibility of managing such a critical system. He reiterated the company’s commitment to working closely with JXN Water to ensure long-term water quality improvements and service reliability for Jackson’s residents.

Why Did JXN Water Choose Jacobs as a Long-Term Partner?

JXN Water has faced significant hurdles in securing a long-term water infrastructure partner. Many firms hesitated to take on the project due to complex operational risks and financial constraints. However, Jacobs stepped in when others would not, earning the trust of both JXN Water and the Jackson community.

JXN Water’s Interim Third-Party Manager, Ted Henifin, praised Jacobs’ commitment to Jackson’s water recovery efforts. He noted that Jacobs had the expertise, experience, and passion to transform Jackson’s troubled water system. He also highlighted that Jacobs was one of the few companies willing to take on the challenge when no other firms would.

By continuing to collaborate with JXN Water, Jacobs will help transform Jackson’s water infrastructure into a sustainable, modern system that ensures clean water access for all residents.

How Does This Contract Align with Jacobs’ Broader Water Infrastructure Strategy?

Jacobs is a global leader in water infrastructure management, with expertise spanning municipal, industrial, and military water systems. The company has a strong portfolio of water treatment contracts across the United States and internationally.

Recently, Jacobs secured an $80 million environmental compliance contract with the U.S. Navy, reinforcing its commitment to water sustainability and regulatory adherence. That contract includes ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. It also involves developing environmental strategies for military operations in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and managing petroleum storage, oil spill preparedness, and water quality control for Navy and Marine Corps bases.

Jacobs’ continued investment in water infrastructure management highlights its role as a trusted partner in environmental compliance, wastewater treatment, and sustainable development.

What’s Next for Jackson’s Water Future?

With Jacobs leading the charge, Jackson’s residents can expect continued improvements in drinking water quality and long-term system stability. The company’s expertise in water treatment efficiency, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure modernisation will help shape the city’s water future.

JXN Water and Jacobs’ partnership represents a major step toward resolving Jackson’s historic water challenges, ensuring that residents no longer have to worry about the safety and reliability of their drinking water.