Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Rural Water Project Continues

Prescott's Rural Water Project is alive and well, though sign ups have been slow in coming.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said they are continuing to call on people when they get the chance to get water user agreements signed.

However, he said the deadline for signing up for the project will be June 1, 1996, so the city can get the necessary paperwork in to the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission (AIDC).

"We hope to do this (get people signed up) by May 1 and get the paperwork done," he said. "There's a $2.5 million grant involved, and a lot of wells are drying up."

A minimum of 650 customers are needed to make the project economically feasible for those involved. This number, Taylor said, would hold the monthly bill to the $20 to $25 range.

"Sign ups have been slow," Taylor said. "And there are a lot of low income people who most likely won't have to pay (the connection fee) and will be reimbursed for their deposit.

"People are still interested," he continued, "they just aren't putting their deposits up."

What will have to happen, he said, is a concerted door-to-door effort made to get the minimum required number of customers.

Potential customers can sign up on the project by putting as little as $20 down and paying out the rest.

In addition, the two local banks have agreed to make short term, low interest loans for those who don't have the funds available for the deposit.

Currently, 150 area residents have signed up for city water services.

"I'd like to see everyone on line," Taylor said. "The survey showed 758 people eligible (for the service). The possibility's there."

However, if fewer than 650 sign up for the project, Taylor said the project could be reduced in scope. This, though, is not what the mayor wants to see, as there are many residents in need of good drinking water.

He said there have been rumors of scare tactics being used to keep people from signing up for the service.

One of these rumors states people signing up for the project will have to cap their wells and can't use them for anything else.

Another rumor is property taxes will triple for those who sign up.

Taylor said both of these rumors are false. Having city water, he said, has nothing to do with property taxes. However, property values, he continued, will go up for those on city water.

Concerning the capping of wells, Taylor said the wells will have to be unhooked from homes as both systems can't be used at the same time.

This is to prevent the rural water system from being contaminated by well water, Taylor said.

Otherwise, the wells can be utilized in any way the people want.

However, because of the drought the region continues to suffer from, some wells have dried up, while others are drying up.

In addition to the AIDC grant, Taylor said the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission has approved financial aid from the Arkansas Water Resources Development General Obligation Bond Program for $1.38 million.

The overall project is expected to cost about $3.9 million. And, it is a water project only, no sewer lines will be laid, nor sewer services offered.

Discussing another area in which water services will be required, Taylor said the annexation plans are moving right along.

He said the city should be ready to submit the project for a 15-day bid soon.

Once bids are received, there will be a special called meeting of the Prescott City Council to determine which company will be contracted to do the work.

Once it gets underway, Taylor said, it shouldn't take long to complete.

Additionally, he said, the sewer project may be advertised for bid around April 1.

He said there is currently no natural gas in the affected area, because the gas company needs to see what will be required.

Taylor said officials need to meet with Arkansas Power and Light Co. to get the electrical utility lines appraised and a purchase price negotiated.