Water conservation measures requested with all city, regional Fort Smith water users - Talk Business & Politics
More than two weeks of no meaningful rainfall and triple-digit daily temperatures have resulted in drought conditions in the Fort Smith metro, forcing the city of Fort Smith on Aug. . . .
More than two weeks of no meaningful rainfall and triple-digit daily temperatures have resulted in drought conditions in the Fort Smith metro, forcing the city of Fort Smith on Aug. 14 to ask water customers to follow voluntary water conservation measures. The city’s two primary water sources, Lake Fort Smith and Lee Creek, are at 100% capacity, according to the city’s July 2026 lake report. However, daily demand is the problem. Water treatment facilities at both sources can provide around 49 million gallons a day. The daily demand with overnight irrigation and other water uses results in a struggle by the system to refill water storage tanks. “Early morning irrigation begins and drops the levels of our in town storage,” Lance McAvoy, the city’s director of water resources noted in a statement sent to Talk Business & Politics. “Around 9 to 10 a. m. we see irrigation stop and we then see the normal hot, dry weather demand. Our in-town storage slowly recovers or stays steady and we begin to gain significant ground on filling our in town storage after 7:00 P. M. each day. Then the cycle begins again. The voluntary water conservation is to help curb the daily demand impact. ”Following is the statement provided Friday (Aug. 14) by the city. “With rising temperatures and a lack of rainfall, irrigation use and overall water demand are increasing across the area. To help preserve our water supply and ensure adequate water remains available for everyone, the City of Fort Smith is asking customers to voluntarily conserve water by following these measures:Customers with even-numbered addresses should water lawns, shrubs, plants, trees, and gardens, or fill swimming pools, only on even-numbered days of the month. “Customers with odd-numbered addresses should water lawns, shrubs, plants, trees, and gardens, or fill swimming pools, only on odd-numbered days of the month. “Please avoid watering lawns, shrubs, plants, trees, and gardens between 9:00 a. m. and 7:00 p. m. “We are asking all customers served by water systems and municipalities that receive water from Fort Smith to follow these voluntary water conservation measures, which include:City of Fort SmithCity of BarlingTown of ChesterCity of LavacaCity of MountainburgCedarville Water UsersConcord WaterWinslow Water UsersHighway 71 Water UsersTown of ArkomaRural Water District 7City of Van BurenFranklin-Sebastian Water UsersCentral City“Although these measures are voluntary, following them will help protect the region’s water supply and reduce the need for mandatory conservation measures. We appreciate everyone working together to use water responsibly. ”The call for water conservation is not unexpected. Jimmie Johnson, the city’s deputy director of engineering, said in interviewsearlier this yearthat the city is getting closer to not being able to produce enough water to meet a maximum daily demand. He said “one really long, hot summer” could result in water conservation measures. The hot and dry conditions have created demand issues around the state. Earlier this year the city of Conway implemented conservation measures. On Friday, the Benton/Washington Regional Public Water Authority, which provides water to 17 rural water systems in Northwest Arkansas, called for conservation measures. The authority said its system has a daily capacity of 14,000 gallons per minute, but demand has been at or above 21,000 gallons per minute. The demand has resulted in low levels in storage tanks. The authority said mandatory measures might be implemented on Aug. 17 if the voluntary measures don’t ease demand. Related