Background
The lawsuit against the City of Jackson stemmed from testing conducted by the Mississippi State Health Department between 2010 and 2013 that showed rising levels of lead in the water.
The Lawsuit
Four Jackson residents filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the city:
- Ignored warnings and failed to take steps to prevent further lead from entering the water supply.
- Made false assurances that the water was safe for residents.
- Knowingly allowed residents to drink lead-poisoned water.
Key Points of the Complaint
- Misrepresentation: Public statements assuring residents that the water was safe.
Court Decision
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the lawsuit. The court’s ruling emphasized that:
- No constitutional right to clean drinking water is guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.