Arkansas State Board of Health Approves Orders for Improvements in Helena-West Helena Water Systems
The Arkansas State Board of Health has approved formal orders requiring improvements for three municipal water systems, with two of them located in Helena-West Helena. The failing infrastructure in these areas has left residents with poor drinking water quality and occasionally dry pipes. The two towns of Helena and West Helena, which combined have a population of around 8,000 people, have separate water systems despite consolidating in 2006.
During a recent meeting, the board approved separate consent decrees for both water systems, outlining the necessary requirements for improvement. These decrees were issued after violations of state public water system rules were admitted by city officials in a June hearing. The violations included failure to hire a qualified system operator, respond to significant deficiencies, and provide required public notices.
City officials now have 90 days to hire an operator and develop a long-term plan to address the issues, including infrastructure improvements, engineering plans, and financial capacity for implementation. Failure to meet these deadlines could result in the imposition of a combined penalty of $685,000 for both water systems.
Residents like Faye Duncan-Daniel have expressed the devastating impact of the poor water quality on their daily lives. She highlighted the challenges faced by the community, including the need to boil water and the lack of clean water access. While the city has approved rate increases to facilitate funding opportunities, residents like Duncan-Daniel continue to be dissatisfied with the situation.
The Arkansas Division of Natural Resources has offered Helena-West Helena an $11 million loan to address some infrastructure needs. Despite previous emergency funding from the state, the community still faces significant challenges in accessing clean and reliable water. The support of community members and advocates like Duncan-Daniel underscores the urgent need for improvements in the water systems to ensure the health and well-being of residents in Helena-West Helena.
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