High levels of lead found in Mississippi capital's water likened to Flint crisis

Jackson residents stunned as elevated levels of lead were found in drinking water last year but officials didn't issue a warning until January

Startlingly elevated levels of lead were found in the water in Mississippi's capital in June, but a warning was not issued by government officials until January, the Guardian has learned - a contamination that bears some resemblance to the crisis in Flint, Michigan.

As with Flint, the problem in Jackson appears to be related to inadequate corrosion control, and the months of delay in state action raises shades of Flint, something that Michigan governor Rick Snyder will testify on before a congressional committee on Thursday.