Hot Springs Municipal Utilities will resume repairs to a water main that runs from its treatment plant on the upper end of Lake Hamilton to a storage tank on Music Mountain on Monday, which could cause tap water to become cloudy or milky next week.
Utility crews began repairing the two sections of reinforced concrete water main between the treatment plant and the tank the evening of May 9. Repairs to one section of 24-inch pipe were completed the next day. However, a 27-inch pipe crews encountered is an "extremely rare" diameter of pipe, according to Hot Springs Municipal Utilities Director Monty Ledbetter.
A repair kit arrived Friday afternoon. The city said in a news release on Friday that the section of 27-inch main will be isolated from the water system to avoid any possible contamination.
"Crews will flush and chlorinate the line upon completion of the work," the release said.
The city's municipal utilities department will collect bacteriological samples late Monday and into Tuesday for testing by the Arkansas Department of Health.
"If the health department lab certifies that the samples are negative, the main will slowly be returned to service on Wednesday. After the main is reactivated, some instances of cloudy or milky water may occur, although this is not generally anticipated. Those signed up for CodeRED notifications should expect to receive a message on Tuesday regarding the return to service," the release said.
"Repairs sometimes cause cloudy water or stir sediments lying in the bottom of pipes, causing discoloration. There is no associated health risk with these changes of appearance. The sediments are typically minerals, such as iron, manganese and calcium, that settle out of water as it moves through the water system. Cloudy or milky water coming from the tap results from harmless, tiny air bubbles dispersed through the water after a repair. Faucets may sputter until the air dissipates," the release said.
The municipal utilities department offered the following tips to help eliminate the discolored or milky water:
• Run as many cold water faucets as possible simultaneously, including bath tubs, sinks and outside spigots, to clear out any sediment that may have found its way into the service line.
• Do not use hot water or wash light-colored clothing until the water runs clear.
• If the problem does not clear up within a few minutes, it is possible that the sediment in the water main has not settled out yet. In this case, wait an hour or so, and try again. If the water does not clear up within 24 hours, call 321-6200 for assistance.
Local on 05/14/2017