Arkansas neighbors urged to conserve water as dry and hot conditions strain demand

As Arkansas sees triple-digit heat, city leaders are asking residents to conserve water as demand increases.

The Benton Washington Regional Water Authority, which treats and supplies water for numerous cities, including Centerton, Pea Ridge, Garfield, Avoca, Highfill, Gentry, Tontitown, Lincoln, Prairie Grove, and Decatur. Of the cities that it supplies, Centerton has the highest water usage, followed by Pea Ridge, then Highfill.

The Decatur water tank, which supplies water to Centerton, is about half full when it should be three-quarters or more full, according to the Benton Washington Regional Water Authority.

“There is a very real potential that we could get into a serious problem,” said Scott Borman, the general manager at the Benton Washington Regional Water Authority.

Borman described the current need for water conservation as an issue of supply and demand.

“We just cannot pump enough water to cover the peak periods that we’re seeing twice a day,” Borman said.

Peak usage periods are early in the morning and later in the evening.

The city of Centerton is asking residents who live at addresses that end in an odd number to limit irrigation to 20 minutes from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Residents who live at addresses that end in an even number are being asked to limit irrigation to 20 minutes from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

“We were able to develop an ordinance. So, when conservation measures are enacted, we can penalize the violators, like, the first offense is going to be a written warning, second offense — a fine, third offense — a fine, fourth offense — a larger fine, and then possible irrigation meter, we’ll go out there and lock it,” said Malcom Attwood, the director of Centerton Utilities.

Centerton City Council passed an ordinance that could create penalties for not abiding by water conservation requests on Aug. 11. Attwood said there would be a grace period of at least one month before penalties are enacted.

Caleb Shoup, the owner of Conserva Irrigation NWA, said there’s good news for Bermuda grass owners because it’s very heat- and drought-tolerant. He added it can thrive on lower water conditions.

“And you might find that because you’re not watering it as much, where you would normally mow once a week or once every other week, you might be able to go another week because the grass just isn’t going to grow as much when it’s not getting the regular water that it’s used to,” Shoup said.

His advice for homeowners during a water conservation period is to hold off on fertilizing lawns, keep grass longer, and mow less.

While relief may not be in sight so long as dry and hot conditions persist, the city of Centerton hopes the conservation efforts will make a difference.