Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Water System Is Completed

Residents on the north side of Highway 67 can now hook their homes up to the city's water and sewer.

Harold Hurst, supervisor of the Gurdon Water and Sewer Commission, told members of the water panel he had received a letter from Charles Summerford, project engineer, telling the residents they could hook up to the city's services.

However, employees with the commission will need to inspect the well disconnects and sewer connections before households will have the services turned on.

Hurst told the commission, in its regular monthly meeting Monday night, all gray water must go into the sewer system. Gray water, he explained, is water from sinks, bathtubs, washing machines and dishwashers.

The case brought before the commission in January concerning Carl McMichael's bill was again addressed by Hurst.

He said another test was ran on McMichael's old water meter using the amount of water equal to the largest reading the family had, 29,100 gallons.

The test showed the old meter registered 500 gallons more than a new meter hooked in line with the old one. This was a differential of 1 percent, Hurst told the panel.

In addition, Hurst contacted the manufacturer of the meters and was told they test them with only 100 gallons of water before shipping them out.

Hurst also went to the McMichael home to see if he could find any potential problems, and to explain why the bill wasn't adjusted to Mrs. McMichael.

While at the home, Hurst saw where the family had replaced a hot water heater, but said a faulty water heater would have flooded the house had it been the cause of the problems.

But, when he went into Mr. McMichael's bathroom, he found a brick in the commode tank with the end of the float ball hanging on it.

Hurst told the commissioners the tank had new parts in it, which means they had been replaced at one time. He told Mrs. McMichael of the problem with the brick and float and moved the brick out of the way.

He said the McMichael's bill for the last three months has shown the usage down to 8,800 gallons per month.

Commissioner Bill Dulin said he has received more response over this case than any other the department has dealt with. He said about 50 residents told him of the commission adjusted the McMichael bill it would have to adjust theirs as well.

"If we can't find a problem, we can't help the customers," Hurst said. "If a leak is found, we can adjust the sewer bill, but we don't volunteer to adjust any bill. It's up to the customer to come to us."

The department's computer flags bills which show drastic changes from month to month. Once a bill is flagged, a department employee goes to the home and reads the meter again.

The employee also leaves a message at the residence stating there may be a leak which needs to be checked.

"We're sticking to our guns with McMichael," Hurst said. "I hope he understands."

Changing topics, Hurst said the department received its final inspection on the wastewater treatment plant from the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology.

He said the only problem the PC&E found was with plants on the No. 2 filter. The department has two years to get this problem corrected, and Hurst said this will be done.

The department has another problem, however, with people stealing services.

Hurst said some customers break the plastic locks on the meters and put a hose between the connections. This bypasses the meter and allows the customer to use water without paying for it.

Because of this situation, the department purchased a camera and is taking photographs of meters which have been tampered with and filing theft of service charges against the offender.

In discussing the parent portion of the rural water project, Hurst said Summerford is searching for property owners so easements can be obtained.

He said it is hoped to get all the property owners together by the end of February so a committee can be formed to get them to sign easements for the project.

It is also hoped bids can be let in April.

Hurst said it would take about eight months to actually get the system in place, and if everything stays on schedule, the majority of the work can be done during the driest part of the year.