Fort Smith residents asked to conserve water amid main water line break
The city of Fort Smith said the 24-inch water main break it is working to fix is expected to be completed sometime Monday. The city said the parts needed to fix the break have arrived on-site.Emergency Phase II Water Conservation measures are now in effect citywide. It prohibits lawn irrigation and other nonessential water uses like washing cars, filling swimming pools and cleaning exterior surfaces. Leigh Avenue is closed to all traffic between Phoenix Avenue and Airport Drive until further notice.Crews were waiting for parts to arrive from Dallas to repair the break. Repairs are expected to be completed Monday night, but it could take several days or even weeks to fully replenish the city’s storage tanks.“This supplies a 7.5 million gallon reservoir. So, depending upon what our feed rate is, we could be putting several million gallons through it on a daily basis. Right now, it is shut off,” said Fort Smith Water Utilities Director Lance McAvoy.The affected 24-inch concrete pipe, which dates back to 1962, is responsible for supplying water to much of South Fort Smith and surrounding areas.“So it is very critical. You’re talking businesses, residents, Fianna Hills, Riley Farms, South Sebastian County.” McAvoy said. “We are doing all we can to ensure that we keep water flowing to the south area of town and to keep pressures up as much as possible.”Water conservation measures have been put in place for all Fort Smith residents and those south of the Arkansas River who receive their water from the city. This includes areas such as Barling, Franklin, Sebastian counties, and Arkoma.While everyone should currently have water flowing to their homes and businesses, McAvoy cautioned that it could take time to fully restore the system after repairs are completed.“You’re looking at about a 7.5 million gallon tank. So getting that to fill takes time, because we’re still going to be putting water out to the public as well,” he said. “I would love to have had it fixed yesterday. Again, we needed special parts. We actually brought people in from Dallas to help us.”Currently, a boil order is not in effect. Residents and businesses experiencing any water issues are encouraged to report them to the city utilities department.In addition, crews also responded to a second water main break Sunday near the intersection of North 14th and North D streets.
The city of Fort Smith said the 24-inch water main break it is working to fix is expected to be completed sometime Monday. The city said the parts needed to fix the break have arrived on-site.
Emergency Phase II Water Conservation measures are now in effect citywide. It prohibits lawn irrigation and other nonessential water uses like washing cars, filling swimming pools and cleaning exterior surfaces.
Leigh Avenue is closed to all traffic between Phoenix Avenue and Airport Drive until further notice.
Crews were waiting for parts to arrive from Dallas to repair the break. Repairs are expected to be completed Monday night, but it could take several days or even weeks to fully replenish the city’s storage tanks.
“This supplies a 7.5 million gallon reservoir. So, depending upon what our feed rate is, we could be putting several million gallons through it on a daily basis. Right now, it is shut off,” said Fort Smith Water Utilities Director Lance McAvoy.
The affected 24-inch concrete pipe, which dates back to 1962, is responsible for supplying water to much of South Fort Smith and surrounding areas.
“So it is very critical. You’re talking businesses, residents, Fianna Hills, Riley Farms, South Sebastian County.” McAvoy said. “We are doing all we can to ensure that we keep water flowing to the south area of town and to keep pressures up as much as possible.”
Water conservation measures have been put in place for all Fort Smith residents and those south of the Arkansas River who receive their water from the city. This includes areas such as Barling, Franklin, Sebastian counties, and Arkoma.
While everyone should currently have water flowing to their homes and businesses, McAvoy cautioned that it could take time to fully restore the system after repairs are completed.
“You’re looking at about a 7.5 million gallon tank. So getting that to fill takes time, because we’re still going to be putting water out to the public as well,” he said. “I would love to have had it fixed yesterday. Again, we needed special parts. We actually brought people in from Dallas to help us.”
Currently, a boil order is not in effect. Residents and businesses experiencing any water issues are encouraged to report them to the city utilities department.
In addition, crews also responded to a second water main break Sunday near the intersection of North 14th and North D streets.