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Residents across several Northwest Arkansas communities are under a water conservation request through Monday evening following a major water main break. A 36-inch ductile iron pipe failed early Sunday morning near the Pea Ridge vault, forcing regional authorities to isolate the line and initiate emergency repair protocols to restore system pressure.
Scope of the Infrastructure Failure
The disruption occurred at approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday, when a three-foot section of a 36-inch pipe failed on the west side of Highway 72. According to the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority, the damage impacted a critical stretch of infrastructure between Highway 94 and Highway 72.
The failure caused a significant loss of water pressure, necessitating a boil water notice for the Brush Creek area. Beyond Brush Creek, the outage affected the water systems for Centerton, Pea Ridge, Bella Vista, Decatur, Highfill, Gentry, Tontitown, and the Simmons Foods plant.
Emergency Repairs and System Recovery
Crews are working to isolate the damaged section and have brought in specialized contractors to perform the repairs. While officials expect the physical repair of the pipe to be completed by late Sunday afternoon, the system requires additional time to flush and refill.
Even after the pipe is repaired, the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority has mandated that residents continue to limit water usage through at least Monday evening. This delay is necessary to allow storage facilities to replenish their reserves, ensuring the system can handle the higher water demand typically seen later in the week.
How Residents Can Assist
Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards issued a statement urging citizens to defer non-essential water consumption until repairs and system recovery are fully finalized. To help stabilize the water supply, the city is asking residents to avoid:
- Running lawn and landscape sprinklers.
- Doing laundry or washing vehicles.
- Filling swimming pools.
- Any other non-essential water usage.
To mitigate the impact of the outage, water officials have implemented temporary supply shifts. Bella Vista is currently drawing from the Bentonville water supply, while Tontitown is coordinating with Springdale to receive water, thereby reducing the strain on the Decatur storage system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a boil water notice for some areas?
A boil water notice is required when water pressure drops significantly, as this loss of pressure can allow contaminants to enter the pipes. The notice is in effect specifically for the Brush Creek area due to confirmed pressure loss.
When will water service return to normal?
While physical repairs are expected to conclude Sunday afternoon, the system needs time to refill. Authorities have requested continued conservation through Monday evening to ensure storage facilities are adequately replenished.
Why should I conserve water if the pipe is already being fixed?
Even after the physical break is sealed, the water towers and storage tanks that serve Northwest Arkansas are currently depleted. Conservation is required to ensure those tanks refill to safe levels before the start of the work week when demand typically spikes.
Pro Tip: If you are in an affected area, check your city’s official website or the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority’s social media channels for the most recent updates regarding the status of the boil water notice in your specific neighborhood.
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