City’s water pressure restored; boil water notice still in effect

Published 11:04 am Tuesday, May 27, 2025

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NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez remains under a precautionary boil water notice due to a lightning strike during weekend storms.

Residents noticed a period of low pressure on Monday morning, but water pressure was quickly restored.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson said the loss of pressure was caused by a lightning strike to equipment at the city’s water plant. That strike caused the pumps to shut off.

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“High-pressure pumps have been activated, and the situation has been resolved,” Gibson said on Monday morning.

Natchez Water Works issued a boil water notice as a precaution. However, because there was no break in the line, that measure is a voluntary precaution.

He said water samples have been sent to the state health department for testing.

“The lightning damage was significant. We have high surface pumps running now, but this could not have come at a worse time because we were making repairs to the Homochitto water tank. With that tank down, they have had quite a challenge to deal with,” Gibson said.

Jeff Gamberi, Natchez Water Works superintendent, said it would probably be Wednesday before water testing is complete because of the Memorial Day Holiday.

He said residents would be notified as soon as the water department is given the all clear.