Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Water Services Set For Newly Annexed Areas Inside Prescott

As one water project nears completion, another struggles for survival.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said the water project to the newly annexed area of the city is nearly finished.

In fact, he said, pressure checks are being done, with tests for leaks and water samples getting sent to the Arkansas Department of Health. Once the ADH gives its approval, the city will start hooking water lines to the customers in the area.

"This will make the people there happy," Taylor said. "They were concerned about their water."

In addition, the city is working with Entergy, formally Arkansas Power and Light Co., on purchasing the utility equipment.

Taylor said Entergy officials have done an inventory of the equipment, with the city getting ready to do one as well.

Once the inventories are completed, the two entities will begin negotiations. Taylor said Prescott should own the extra utility equipment within 60 days.

When the deal is complete, he said, the local cable television company will then be able to install cable for those interested.

"Once we get the infrastructure in place in the annexed area," Taylor said, "I anticipate rapid growth."

In a special meeting of the Prescott City Council Aug. 29, S&J Construction Co. of Jacksonville was awarded the contract for sewer improvements in the annexed area between exits 44 and 46 on Interstate 30.

The project will cost an estimated $596,469, with S&J having 210 working days to get it completed.

According to the specs, there will be three sizes of pipe used in the approximately 23,000 linear foot project. The pipe will be eight, 10 and 12 inch in diameter.

In addition, there will be two lift stations. Taylor said the system will be gravity flow and forced main. The lift stations will cost $64,000 and $37,000 respectively.

Taylor said the sewer lines will run parallel to the water lines.

"We already have the easements in place," he said. "I expect they will begin working in the next 10 days."

However, while the water and sewer services work smoothly to get in place in the annexed region, the rural water project has stagnated.

This is not because of a lack of effort on Taylor's part, or the part of the city.

Residents who would be affected by the project, haven't been coming in to sign up.

Taylor said the city is checking on financing for the project, and has approached the Economic Development Commission seeking funds for the enterprise.

The AIDC is also involved in the financial aspect of a rural water system.

Taylor said Gov. Mike Huckabee is aware of the project, and could be a vital factor in its eventual success.

But locally, the mayor said, it needs to be pushed to the people again, if for no other reason than to remind them of its existence.

He said community meetings will be scheduled in the near future, and volunteers are still needed to go door- to-door and spread the information.

"It's a necessity," he said of the project. "It's a great economic development for northern Nevada County."

Taylor said despite the wet summer, wells in some areas are still drying up, which leaves people without safe and adequate drinking water.

The rains, he said, are just getting the ground wet, but aren't helping the water table.

Mike Marlar, of Marlar Engineering of North Little Rock, is the project engineer, while Clinton Wingfield is the grant administrator for the endeavor.

They have estimated the cost of the project to be $3.7 million and provide water to about 700 rural customers.

According to Marlar, the project will take three months to design, and another nine to 12 for construction. The undertaking involved more than 100 miles of water line.

The City of Prescott will oversee the system, once it's in place.

Those interested in getting city water to their rural homes can do so by putting up a one-time deposit of $180 for the service.

For more information about the rural water project, or to volunteer to work for it, call city hall during normal business hours at 887-2210.