Water is starting to flow again in Arkansas towns that were without water for more than two weeks after subzero temperatures hit the state, but officials say they have to do much to avoid further water shortages to aging local systems. He says that there is still work to be done.
The Arkansas Department of Health lifted a boil-water order for Helena-West Helena on Friday, a day after traffic was restored to the Mississippi River town about 82 miles southwest of Memphis, Tennessee.
“At this time, water has been restored to all customers,” said Chris Harris, vice president of the Arkansas Rural Water Association, which was working to respond to the outages.
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The power outage affected 1,400 people and was the second in a year for the town, which lost water last summer. Recent power outages have forced residents to wait in line for bottled water, fill water jugs and take showers in front of trucks brought in by the state.
The outage affected one of the two water systems in Helena-West Helena, which until 2006 was two separate cities. One of the wells feeding the system failed during recent winter weather due to pressure from leaks and dripping pipes.
Workers were able to fix the leak in the system, but had to replace the failed well and make other improvements to avoid returning to the same location later.
On January 30, 2024, in Helena, Arkansas, Phillips County, Arkansas employees filled gallon jugs of water and distributed them to off-limits residents. (AP Photo/Karen Palfer Vogt, File)
Former state Rep. John Edwards said, “I still think we’re in an emergency situation, and in my opinion and the opinion of others, we won’t be in an emergency situation until new wells are built and put into service.” It will fall,” he said. and the executive director of the industrial park appointed by the mayor to assist in the crisis response.
HELENA-West Helena Mayor Christopher Franklin announced Monday that the city has hired a new superintendent to manage the city’s water system.
Edwards said local officials are working to raise funds to address millions of dollars in repairs needed to build new wells, rehabilitate existing wells and make other improvements to the system in the coming months. Stated.
The city has set aside $1 million from the sale of a hospital building to improve its water system, and the state has issued two $100,000 emergency loans to the city since last year’s crisis.
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Edwards said he and the mayor will ask the City Council for approval to seek up to $1 million from the United States. Department of Agriculture An additional $150,000 was donated to support rural development programs for new wells and the replacement of damaged water pipes.
Edwards said city leaders plan to hold a roundtable later this month to learn more about other potential sources of restoration funds.
“We have to start looking ahead and considering options that offer long-term solutions to the problems we face,” he said.
