Speaker after speaker told stories of a lack of transparency and no accountability for local water systems across Mississippi.

Mississippi’s capital city is not the only local governing body with water issues.

The Senate Energy Committee heard pleas from rural water customers and the Public Service Commission to increase regulations on the state’s water utilities at a hearing Tuesday at the state Capitol. However, an industry trade group said more regulation is not needed.

Speaker after speaker told stories of a lack of transparency and no accountability. They complained of low pressure, muddy or sand-infested water, destroyed appliances, poor customer service, and rude management. One speaker said testing found a high level of strychnine poison over multiple years.

“It’s not safe. We

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