The City of Fort Smith around noon Sunday (Aug. 3) issued a citywide emergency water conservation order because of a water main break on Leigh Avenue between the Interstate 540 interchange and Phoenix Avenue.
The city first issued a public notice Sunday morning about the 24-inch main water line break. A subsequent alert included the conservation order for the city’s almost 90,000 residents. The city also announced the closure of a segment of Leigh Avenue in order to repair the line break.
“Currently, this repair is not expected to be completed until Monday or Tuesday,” noted part of a follow up notice from the city about the water leak. “In response to this break and its impact on the water system, Emergency Phase II Water Conservation Measures are now in effect citywide. These measures prohibit lawn irrigation and other non-essential uses such as washing vehicles, filling swimming pools, and exterior surface cleaning.”
Following are some of the key areas of water restrictions in the Phase II order.
• The watering of shrubs, plants, trees and gardens is permitted only by hand held hose and should be limited to the minimum amounts necessary to sustain plant life. Such watering is permitted at locations with even numbered addresses on even numbered days of the month only and at locations with odd numbered addresses on odd numbered days of the month only. All lawn and turf watering from City sources is prohibited.
• Golf course watering and other commercial irrigation from City sources shall be done only to the extent necessary to preserve turf and other plant life. Golf courses are permitted to water only greens and tee boxes from City sources. Golf course fairway and rough watering and school football and baseball field watering from City sources is specifically prohibited.
• All washing of motor vehicles, trailers, airplanes, boats or building exteriors is prohibited, except at commercial car washes and licensed commercial vehicle dealerships. Licensed commercial dealerships shall limit washing to Tuesday and Friday only. The filling of swimming pools or outdoor fountains and outdoor fountain operation is prohibited.
• The washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, patios, parking lots, concrete tennis courts, and other hard-surfaced areas by hosing or by use of water directly from faucets or other City sources is prohibited.
• Food processing and food service establishments may engage in such use of water only to the extent necessary to maintain and preserve the public health, and in compliance with any state or federal regulations.
Link here for the city’s information on Phase I and Phase II water conservation plans.