Local News
A letter regarding pipe replacements is sent to thousands of Central Arkansas Water customers
By 
Contributor
Little Rock, Arkansas – You might have just received a letter in the mail if you are on Central Arkansas Water (CAW) meters.
About 9,000 CAW customers in Central Arkansas received a letter informing them that their pipes would require replacement due to the possibility of lead contamination.
CAW wants people to know that this is the first step in ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water, even though the letter may appear intimidating.
Douglas Shackelford of Central Arkansas Water stated, “We are more interested in finding out what the material is,”
The lead and copper standards for water pipes were recently modified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Eliminating all lead pipe fixtures and service lines is the current objective.
They must first determine which properties are not up to code before they can take that action.
Customers who did not have updated information on their service lines were therefore given letters by Central Arkansas Water.
The property owner owns the service line, which extends from the meter to the residence.
In case you got the letter, CAW has made a page on their website that explains to clients how to determine the type of pipe and how to record it.
They go well beyond what most states would expect, according to CAW officials.
They fought for the removal of all lead pipes from the area back in 2016. In reality, less than 200 of the 8,000 properties they found that might have lead lines were tested. Since then, they have all been replaced.
“We don’t suspect there are any lead services in our system, so we are miles ahead of other water utilities nationwide,” stated Shackelford.
The property owner has the option to replace the pipes themselves following an inventory of the service lines.
Although Shackelford stated that they anticipate those recommendations in roughly three years, the EPA has not yet released any instructions on who is in charge of replacing the lead pipes.
-
Local News2 weeks agoThe LIHEAP application for winter utility bill assistance is now available
-
Local News2 weeks agoDespite the cold, the Central Arkansas Meals on Wheels service continues to serve elders
-
Local News2 weeks agoAs the arctic front moves across Central Arkansas, warming centers open
-
Local News2 weeks agoThe power grid is prepared for winter weather, according to Entergy Arkansas
-
Local News2 weeks agoThe Arkansas Department of Transportation reported that snow has caused numerous car crashes
-
Local News2 weeks agoA kid from Arkansas won the title of Miss America’s kid in a nationwide pageant
-
Local News2 weeks agoThe Natural State becomes a winter paradise
-
Local News2 weeks agoPublic Works in Little Rock is getting the city ready for snowfall