The Arkansas Board of Health on Thursday approved several penalties against water utilities found out of compliance with the law.
Boydell Water Association, Greenway Waterworks, Bear Creek Country Store and Cotton Plant Waterworks were all found out of compliance with state regulations, but only two of them will face immediate fines.
Boydell Water Association was found to have water above the maximum allowable level for coliform bacteria, according to Department of Health findings. The utility also did not collect a source water sample in September 2012 and did not inform water users of the testing results in certain areas, according to the findings.
Greenway Waterworks did not submit dozens of test samples for 21/2 years, according to department findings.
Bear Creek Country Store and Cotton Plant Waterworks also tested above the allowable levels of coliform bacteria and subsequently did not submit certain water samples to the department.
Board member Alan Fortenberry urged a representative from Cotton Plant Waterworks to have his district comply with state regulations.
"People can get sick," he said.
The Board of Health Administrative Hearings Committee recommended fines for each utility but agreed to largely suspend the fines if the utilities comply with the law for a year.
The committee recommended a $26,400 fine against Boydell Water Association but suspended all but $100 of it. The committee also suspended all but $250 of a $30,720 fine against Bear Creek Country Store.
The committee entirely suspended a $12,600 fine against Greenway Waterworks. It also suspended the $1,000 penalty it imposed against Cotton Plant Waterworks, which was in addition to a still suspended $29,380 penalty for previous problems.
Metro on 01/23/2015