The following are the adjusted dates/times for the next 4 Community Water System Board of Directors regular meetings.  These differ from the published notice of meetings in the Annual Report due to conflicts in schedules. November should resume the normal posted schedule of the third Thursday each month.  Any adjustment will be posted as soon as it is known.

 Tuesday, July 22 at 3:00.

 Thursday, August 21, 11:00

 Tuesday, September 30, 2:00

 Thursday, October 30, 2:00

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM is a public water system subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act Those regulations require the notification of customers whenever a violation occurs and is the basis for this notice.

Finished water turbidity must not exceed 1 NTU in any reading. This requirement was not met on one or more days during March 2025.

Turbidity, or cloudiness, of drinking water is a measure of the minute particles suspended in the water that can interfere with disinfection and with the testing of bacteria. Turbidity is required to be tested at least one or more times each day for water systems utilizing a surface water source or groundwater that is directly influenced by surface water. Excessive turbidity may allow disease causing micro-organisms, if present, to enter the water system. EPA sets national drinking water standards and has determined that the presence of microbiological contaminants is a health concern at certain levels of exposure. If water is inadequately treated, microbiological contaminants in that water may cause disease.

Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with disease-causing organisms in drinking water but also may be caused by a number of factors other than your drinking water.

EPA has set enforceable requirements for treating drinking water to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Treatment such as proper filtering and disinfecting of the water removes or destroys microbiological contaminants. Drinking water which is treated to meet EPA requirements is associated with little to none of this risk and should be considered safe. Failure to meet this requirement does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe or that alternate sources of water should be used.

The water system has added redundant alarm response systems to help fortify on call staff and alarm responses.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact the water system at 501-825-7294 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at 501-661-2623.

This event happened in March for a very short period and no action was required by the Department of Health as far as boiling water or other means for consumption. 

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CWS Water Rate Plan for 2024 thru 2028

As you are aware, in the last several years we have experienced several extreme weather events that have stretched our treatment system to its maximum capacity. In addition, continued growth throughout the system and increases in overall demand for water require that CWS expand its treatment capabilities. To plan for this expansion, CWS contracted with Willdan Financial Services to conduct a system-wide rate study and five-year financial plan.

To meet the timeline for this needed expansion, bonds will be issued in late 2024 and construction will begin in 2025. Therefore, the initial rate increase will occur with January 2024 usage. The base retail water rate per meter will be $31.40 and the demand charge will be $5.65 per 1000 gallons after the first 1000 gallons of usage. In other words, the average bill will increase approximately 13%.

Will there be more increases in the future? The short answer is yes. The rate study CWS conducted, as required by Act 605 of 2021 passed by the Arkansas Legislature, produced a five-year rate plan to cover the cost of new bonds for engineering and construction along with keeping pace with inflation over time. The plan calls for a 13% increase in rates for the years 2024 and 2025 then 3% increases for the years 2026 through 2028.

Keeping our water system in top condition requires continual investment, and as a non-profit water utility, our primary means of funding projects is by increasing water rates from time to time.

CWS strives to be equipped and prepared to ensure consistent quantity and high-quality water is delivered to every home in our system every day.