MDEQ

05/29/2026

This week’s features one of the rarest and most unusual fossils ever discovered in Mississippi chert gravels — a tiny star-shaped marine fossil found by an 11-year-old future paleontologist along the Pearl River near Monticello.

How did a creature that lived hundreds of millions of years ago end up in Mississippi river gravel? And what can it tell us about ancient rivers, oceans, and landscapes that existed long before the modern Mississippi River?

The journey to these answers begins here: https://www.mdeq.ms.gov/geology/fossil-friday/ .

05/22/2026

Whether you like gemstones or fossils more, we’ve got you covered in today’s .

We are highlighting a discovery from Lauderdale County where ancient seashell fossils were preserved in a unique way millions of years ago. Somes of these fossil “molds and casts” are true little gems.

Keep reading to learn why: https://www.mdeq.ms.gov/geology/fossil-friday/

05/19/2026

In this WLOX-TV story, MDEQ Executive Director Chris Wells and a scientist with our beach monitoring program explain what water contact advisories mean (and what they don’t) and how our beach monitoring program works.

Remember, you can always get the most accurate and up-to-date information at beaches.mdeq.ms.gov.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has placed multiple beach stations under bacterial advisories. The advisories do not close the beaches.

05/18/2026

We just want to clear up some misinformation circling. Here's our Executive Director Chris Wells with what you need to know about our beach monitoring program.

The highlights: Mississippi beaches are NOT closed, and you can always find the most accurate up-to-date information on beach water quality at beaches.mdeq.ms.gov

05/16/2026

Hey Meridian! Don’t forget this event happening today until 2pm.

⚠️📣Meridian residents, it’s time to safely clean out those hazardous household items.

Join us for Household Hazardous Waste Day on May 16 from 8 AM to 2 PM at either the Public Works Complex or North Hills Shopping Center.

Help keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and environmentally responsible by properly disposing of paints, batteries, used oil, pesticides, and more.

For details call 601-485-1990 or visit MeridianMS.org

05/11/2026

MDEQ Issues Water Contact Advisory for Bayou and Portion of Pascagoula River in Jackson County https://www.mdeq.ms.gov/mdeq-issues-water-contact-advisory-for-bayou-and-portion-of-pascagoula-river-in-jackson-county/

05/11/2026

Meridian residents, it’s time to safely clean out those hazardous household items. May 16th.

⚠️📣Meridian residents, it’s time to safely clean out those hazardous household items.

Join us for Household Hazardous Waste Day on May 16 from 8 AM to 2 PM at either the Public Works Complex or North Hills Shopping Center.

Help keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and environmentally responsible by properly disposing of paints, batteries, used oil, pesticides, and more.

For details call 601-485-1990 or visit MeridianMS.org

05/06/2026

This weekend: Residents in Jackson County have an opportunity to safely dispose of common household hazardous waste during the Jackson County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Conrad Mallette Multi-Purpose Arena on Ballpark Road in Vancleave.

Accepted household items include products such as paint thinner, motor oil, pool chemicals, pesticides, batteries, gasoline, bleach, cleaners and other materials labeled toxic, flammable, corrosive or poisonous. Tires will also be accepted, with a limit of five per vehicle.

Items not accepted include electronics, medical waste, syringes, compressed cylinders, explosive or radioactive materials and waste from businesses or contractors.

The event is free and is designed to help residents properly dispose of hazardous household materials to protect Mississippi’s air, land and water.

For more information, call 228-872-8340.

Mark your calendars!

Our annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held in May this year instead of our usual April date.

This event gives Jackson County residents a safe and responsible way to dispose of items like paints, chemicals, cleaners, batteries, and other household hazardous materials that should not go into regular trash.

Take a moment to read the flyer below for the full list of accepted items and event details.

Let’s work together to keep Jackson County clean, safe, and environmentally responsible.

05/04/2026

The Force is strong with those who protect our air, land, and water. This May the 4th, join MDEQ in keeping Mississippi clean and green—because even the smallest actions can make a difference.

May the 4th be with you!

04/24/2026

What if a single fossil could hint at human interaction with Ice Age giants?

A recent discovery in Yazoo County has scientists asking big questions…
Read more at https://www.mdeq.ms.gov/geology/fossil-friday/