Hundreds Without Water in Jackson, South Carolina Over Unpaid Utility Bills

Several apartment and mobile home complexes in the South face severe water service disruptions due to unpaid water bills by landlords or property owners. In Jackson, Mississippi, residents of Blossom Apartments have been without running water for nearly a week after the complex's $500,000 water bill went unpaid, with disputes over billed usage; the city and fire department are providing non-potable water for basic sanitation needs while residents face additional hardships like lack of air conditioning. Meanwhile, in Andrews, South Carolina, around 50 families at Black River Mobile Home Park have experienced water cutoffs after the landlord failed to pay a $155,000 water bill over 19 months, leading to significant financial strain on the largely low-income and disabled population. The town has encouraged residents to file breach of trust complaints and pursue legal remedies under state landlord-tenant laws, which require landlords to maintain essential services like running water. City officials in Jackson have formed task forces and are distributing supplies to affected residents while continuing negotiations to restore service, but no timeline for water restoration has been announced. These situations highlight ongoing struggles with housing conditions and utility access, especially for vulnerable communities dependent on responsible landlord management.