JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) lifted the expanded water contact advisory for a portion of the Pearl River, following a significant sewer line break reported earlier this month by JXN Water.

The expanded advisory, issued June 5, 2025, extended from the Swinging Bridge near Byram to the Na Sandifer Memorial Highway Bridge north of Monticello.

MDEQ officials said the advisory was issued based on elevated bacteria levels observed in initial sampling after the sewer line break. On June 12, 2025, JXN Water installed corrective measures that stopped the discharge of untreated sewage.  

Recent samples of the Pearl River, within the area of the extended advisory, indicate the impact of the untreated sewage has subsided and sample results have returned to pre-incident levels. However, the longstanding water contact advisory for the section of the Pearl River from Hanging Moss Creek to the Byram Swinging Bridge remains in effect. This advisory is not related to the recent sewer break but remains in place due to the ongoing challenges, but improving conditions, with sewer infrastructure in the Jackson metro area.

MDEQ continues to recommend avoiding water contact activities in the area where the longstanding advisory remains in place.