JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has expanded a water contact advisory for a portion of the Pearl River following a significant sewer line break reported by JXN Water near Hanging Moss Creek in Jackson.

Officials said initial sampling results show elevated bacteria levels in the river downstream of the break, with elevated levels detected as far south as the Rockport community.

The expanded advisory extends from the Swinging Bridge near Byram to the Na Sandifer Memorial Highway Bridge north of Monticello. As a precaution, MDEQ recommends the public avoid water contact in the affected area — including swimming, wading and fishing — until further notice.

“This expansion of the advisory is based on test results showing the potential for human health risk well beyond the original advisory zone,” said MDEQ Executive Director Chris Wells. “We continue monitoring the situation and conducting additional testing to determine the full extent of the impact.”

MDEQ has been informed by JXN Water that the discharge from the sewer line break has ceased. The agency will conduct ongoing downstream sampling to assess conditions until advisories to the newly listed downstream river segments can be lifted.