Frequently Asked Questions
When is my bill due and where and how can I pay it?
Bills are due on receipt and are considered past due after the due date listed on the bill. A 10%
penalty for late payment is assessed after the due date and service is
subject to disconnection 30 days after the bills are mailed. Payments
can be made at our office, located at 601 S. 2nd St., south of downtown
Forrest City. Automatic Bank Draft, by telephone, on
our website, or by mail. We have a drive through service and night
deposit box. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. [Return]
Can I have
a payment extension?
If a customer does not have
sufficient funds to pay the bill in full, Forrest City Water Utilities may
offer an extension. If you need a payment extension you will need to
call the office. RWU will evaluate the situation and if you receive an
extension you will need to make payment by the extended date. If timely
payment is not made, the service is subject to disconnect. Please call a
customer service representative on receipt of the shut-off notice to
review your account to see if a payment arrangement will help in your
situation. [Return]
What do I
do if I have a question regarding my bill?
Call The Main Office
at (870) 633-2921. Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm. [Return]
How do I
avoid a sewer stoppage?
To help avoid sewer
stoppages, please DO NOT flush the following items down your toilet or
drains: Grease, Contraceptives, Feminine Hygiene Products, Clothing-
socks, underwear, etc, Toys, Jewelry, or other objects, Diapers or baby
/ toilet wipes, ‘Swiffer’ or any cleaning rags. Any, or all, of these
items may stop or damage the lift station pumps or other equipment. [Return]
If I have a
sewer stoppage what should I do?
Call the sewer department
@633-1571 before you call another service professional. RWU will
determine if the cause of the stoppage is on the private system or the
sewer main. [Return]
Can I get a
credit on my water bill for filling my swimming pool?
One time a year we will
give you credit for sewer charge for the water used to fill your
swimming pool. Call the office at 633-2921 to receive this credit. [Return]
What should
I do if I think I have a leak?
Any leak between the meter
and your house is your responsibility. You may need a plumber to help
you. When it is fixed call us for a possible credit on your sewer
bill. [Return]
Where do I
call for water and sewer main locates?
Call the Water Distribution Office at 633-1751. [Return]
Do we have
fluoride in the water?
Yes. Questions regarding fluoride should be directed to Water
Treatment at 870-633-1366 [Return]
What is our
water pressure normally?
Pressures vary throughout
our service area. Call the office for the pressure at your home or
business. [Return]
What would
it cost me to get an irrigation meter?
You will need to come into
the office and we will be happy to determine the cost. [Return]
Is there a
charge to transfer my service?
Yes, $10.00 inside the city
limits and $15.00 outside the city limits, to be billed on the first
bill at the new location. [Return]
Where does
our water come from?
It is pumped for a natural occurring underground aquifer
called The Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, often
termed simply the “alluvial aquifer,” is a water-bearing
assemblage of gravels and sands that underlies about 32,000
square miles of Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Arkansas. In Arkansas,
the alluvial aquifer occurs in an area generally 50 to 125
miles wide by about 250 miles long adjacent to the
Mississippi River. The alluvial aquifer is the uppermost
aquifer in this area. Water derived from the alluvial
aquifer is primarily used for irrigation of rice and other
agricultural crops, and for fish farming. [Return]
How do I
obtain a water or sewer tap?
Visit our office or call
633-2921. [Return]
Is my water
safe to drink?
YES, Our water meets
all the health requirements set forth by the U. S. Environmental
Protection Agency. The quality of the water is monitored continuously at
the treatment plant and in the distribution system. However, isolated
water quality impairments do occur, so if you do experience a change in
the quality of water, notify Forrest City Water Utilities at 633-2921 at
once. [Return]
What is the
definition of "safe water"?
Water that is safe to drink
contains no impurities that would cause a person who drinks the water to
become ill. Safe water contains no pathogenic organisms or other
contaminants in concentrations that would render the water
non-potable. [Return]
You hear a
lot about tap water being unsafe, or that tap water is getting worse.
Water suppliers say that the water is safe to drink. Who is right?
We all want the same thing:
safe drinking water. Water quality standards are becoming stricter as
scientists research the health effects of certain materials commonly
found in drinking water. The media has helped the general public become
more aware of water quality issues, and the public is demanding more
information. Once per year, Forrest City Water Utilities mails a Consumer
Confidence Report which details the analysis performed on water from the
Forrest City Water Utilities system. [Return]
If my water
is safe, why are scientists and engineers doing more and more and more
research, and why is the government considering more and stricter
regulations?
Even though our water is
safe to drink for most people, it is not entirely risk free. Producing
risk free water would make water too expensive. Government sets
regulations that have an acceptable risk (very small). Every one wants
to lower this risk even further, without adding a lot of costs. Also,
researchers are looking for any new potential problems that might be
uncovered. [Return]
Can I tell
if my water is safe to drink by looking at it, smelling it, or tasting
it?
No. None of the chemicals
or microbes commonly found in water can be detected by these methods. [Return]
How can I
tell if my water is safe to drink?
If you are on your own
private well, you can have the water analyzed for impurities by a
private laboratory, or you can call the St. Francis County Health Unit to see what help might be available there. You should take that
analysis to the Health Department for an interpretation. If you are
connected to a public water supply, you can call the provider or the
Arkansas Health and Human Services Department at 501-661-2623 for
information about water quality. When moving to a new area, this is
something you should check out first. [Return]
What is a
boil water order about?
When a water system loses
pressure due to a break or rupture in a water line, often the water
company will isolate the break with valves, in order to repair the line.
When this happens, Forrest City Water Utilities will issue a boil water order
to affected customers as a precaution against the possible entrance of
contaminants into the system. Once the break is fixed and pressure is
restored, the water company will flush the affected system and take
samples to the health department for testing. If the samples show no
coliform contamination for two consecutive days, then the boil water
order is lifted. Residents are notified through "door hangers" or the
media. Be sure to boil water used for drinking or cooking for at least
five minutes. Also, discard your ice cubes in your icemaker. [Return]
Is my
drinking water completely free of microorganisms?
No. The water has been
disinfected with chlorine gas to kill all the pathogenic organisms
(germs). Most microbes are harmless. [Return]
What are
coliforms, and what is going on?
Coliform bacteria are
generally harmless bacteria that are found in the gut of warm-blooded
animals and aid in digestion. The presence of coliform bacteria
indicates that the water may be unsafe to drink, because pathogenic
bacteria are also found in the intestines of animals and humans. This is
why coliforms are called indicator organisms. The presence or absence of
coliforms in a water sample indicates whether or not the water is safe
to drink. [Return]
Can the
AIDS virus be transferred through the drinking water?
There is no evidence to
suggest that this is possible. People don’t get AIDS through ingestion
of the virus, only through intimate contact with the blood. Also,
chlorine or other disinfectants kill most viruses in the water. [Return]
What is
Cryptosporidium?
Cryptosporidium is a
parasitic protozoan that can live in the intestine of humans and
animals. Outside the host body, the protozoan becomes a cyst, very much
like a seed, with a tough outer coating that is resistant to
disinfection. Once swallowed, the protozoan emerges from the cysts,
multiplies, and may cause the disease cryptosporidiosis. In people with
normal immune systems, this disease causes diarrhea and cramping for up
to two weeks. Persons with compromised immune systems, such as people
with AIDS or very young children, are at risk from this disease.
Cryptosporidium is not present in all source water. Filtration and
disinfection remove the vast majority of cysts. Outbreaks of
Cryptosporidium from drinking water are rare. If you think you are
infected, you should see a doctor. Also, drinking water is not the only
vector for this disease. [Return]
Will home
treatment device protect me from cryptosporidium?
Some will, others won’t.
Boiling the water briskly for a couple of minutes will always work. [Return]
If I am
traveling in an area where the tap water is unsafe, what can I take with
me to purify the water?
Some portable mechanical
filters are available that purport to produce safe drinking water a
glass at a time. The best policy is not to drink tap water when the
quality is questionable. Insist on bottled water when traveling in
foreign countries. Avoid ice cubes, gelatin, or salads. Water
purification tablets will disinfect the water; however, they are useless
against Cryptosporidium or Giardia cysts. [Return]
Are all
chemicals in my drinking water bad for me?
No. Some chemicals, such as
fluoride are good for you. Others may be beneficial, or of no effect.
Water is a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen. We depend on
chemicals in food to keep us alive. Drinking water contains no calories,
caffeine, fat, sugar, or cholesterol. [Return]
Is it safe
for a backpacker or a camper to drink water from a remote mountain
stream?
No. While these sorts of
stream appeal to our eyes, they may contain protozoans that may cause
illness, such as Cryptosporidium or Giardia, which cause
cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, respectively. Backpackers should carry
a filtration unit and disinfection tablets to treat water collected in
the wild for drinking purposes. Of course, boiling the water vigorously
for a few minutes will also make the water safe to drink. [Return]
Are
chemicals that are found in water naturally (not because of pollution)
safe to drink.
Not necessarily. Some
chemicals that may be found in water naturally may be harmful, such as
selenium, arsenic, and radon. Some harmless chemicals in water react
with other chemicals and form harmful compounds. The U.S. EPA requires
public water purveyors to test for 78 different chemicals, and that list
is expected to grow. If you want a current analysis of Forrest City water,
please call the office at 870-633-2921 or write to: Forrest City Water
Utilities, PO Box, 816, Forrest City, AR, 72336 [Return]
I read that
organic chemicals are dangerous. What are they, and why doesn’t the
water company remove them from the water?
Organic chemicals contain
carbon and hydrogen atoms linked together. Sugar is a common organic
chemical, so not all organic chemicals are bad for you. Some, like
gasoline, diesel fuel, and solvents, are carcinogens, that is, they may
cause cancer. Conventional water treatment plants do not remove
dissolved chemicals from the water, only particulate matter, such as
bacteria and cysts. [Return]
I heard
that nitrate was bad for babies and pesticides are bad for every one.
How do these get in the water supply?
The EPA has set a maximum
contaminant level for nitrates, since a high dose of nitrates has been
linked with a rare blood disorder in infants called "blue baby
syndrome", because the baby’s skin will have a bluish cast. Pesticides
are organic chemicals that farmers use against insects. Private wells
are the chief source of water contaminated with these chemicals.
Nitrates may come from fertilizers or from human or animal wastes, such
as feedlots or septic tanks. Anything applied to the land may well wind
up in the ground water, as rain percolates downward to the water
table. [Return]
Do
hazardous wastes contaminate our drinking water?
Possibly. Runoff from
hazardous waste disposal sites may contaminate the water. Leaking
underground storage tanks may cause contamination of the ground water.
This is why the government has such strict regulations for storage tanks
and liners for toxic waste dumps. [Return]
How does
lead get into the drinking water?
Not all drinking water contains lead. When household plumbing contains
lead solder, and the water is in contact with the solder for long
periods (like overnight), there may be some lead that does dissolve
and enter the water. Very hard water tends
to form a scale on the walls of the pipes, and seals the solder. Lead
solder has been outlawed since 1986. Testing in Forrest City has not detected
any lead or copper in the system above action levels set by EPA. [Return]
How do I
get lead out of my drinking water?
Not all homes have a lead
problem, but if testing indicates you have one, or, if you have rusty
water or water leaves a blue stain in your sink, you may want to take
precautions to protect yourself and your family. The best way is to
flush the faucet or hydrant you will be drinking from for a few minutes
before using the water for drinking. The time needed will vary from
house to house; typically, you want "fresh" water from the public main
line. [Return]
Is the
fluoride in my water safe?
Yes. Naturally occurring or
added by the supplier, fluoride had been shown to greatly improve the
dental health of the consumers. Fluoride and chlorine in the water make
it unsuitable for kidney dialysis machines, however. [Return]
Is the
chlorine in the water safe?
Yes. The amount of chlorine
typically used by water purveyors is safe. Some people do not like the
taste, however. When chlorine reacts with some naturally occurring
chemicals in the water, disinfection byproducts are formed, which may
cause cancer. EPA has established a maximum contaminant level for
trihalomethanes, which is a group of disinfection byproducts. Forrest
City’
water is under this level. [Return]
Should I be
concerned about the chlorine in the water I use for bathing?
No. Chlorine can’t be
absorbed through the skin, and the amount of chlorine is too small to
harm the skin itself. [Return]
I heard
aluminum is used to treat water. Does this cause Alzheimer’s disease?
Most surface water
treatment plants use alum or aluminum sulfate as a coagulant aid. This
causes the small particles of dirt to become larger and heavier floc,
which will settle out and be removed. Thus, very little, if any,
aluminum stays in the water. Aluminum is present in large concentrations
in foods such as tea. There is very little evidence to indicate that
aluminum in drinking water is harmful. The EPA does not regulate
aluminum. [Return]
What is
radon and is it harmful in drinking water?
Radon is a radioactive gas
found in some groundwater supplies. Radon is formed by the natural decay
of radium and uranium. Scientists believe that long term exposure to
radon causes cancer. Most exposure to radon comes from the ground
underneath the residence through the air and into the lungs. EPA will
set standards for radon in drinking water early in the next century. If
you suspect radon in your home, call the local health department. Test
kits are available. [Return]
Why does my
water taste or smell funny?
Taste is very subjective,
but most taste and odor problems are associated with algae or fungi
present in the water supply. Chlorine, added to the water to kill germs,
may react with organic chemicals and cause a bad taste. An earthy smell
or taste is caused by the presence of Actinomycetes (a harmless fungus)
in the raw water supply. A rotten egg odor (caused by the presence of
hydrogen sulfide) may be present in a well supply. In small amounts
these things are harmless. Point of use water treatment devices may help
the situation some. If you have a water quality problem, call your water
purveyor right away. [Return]
What can I
do if my drinking water tastes funny?
You could store some water
in a glass container in the refrigerator. Aerate the water with a
blender or mixer. Boil it, then refrigerate it. Add a little lemon juice
to drinking water. [Return]
My well
water is reddish brown. Is it safe to drink?
The chemicals in the water
that cause it to be colored are non-toxic, but not completely harmless.
Iron is the culprit usually, and can cause stains and discolorations of
clothing and fixtures. The iron is coming from the well water, or the
pipes, or the hot water heater. Water softeners can help with this
problem. Letting the water run usually lets it clear up. [Return]
My water is
black. What causes this, and is it harmful?
A metal called manganese,
which occurs naturally in water, is colorless and harmless. When
combined with chlorine, it becomes black. If you have manganese, you may
want to install a filter or other point of use water treatment
system. [Return]
Should I
install a home water treatment system?
This is a personal
decision. If you are connected to a public water supply, your water
already meets federal safety requirements. Some people don't like the
taste of their water and might consider installing a point-of-use (POU)
system. However, these systems require maintenance and could cause
problems for you. Some types of POU's are: Particulate filters - these
remove most of the rust and manganese particles. Absorption filters -
commonly called charcoal or activated charcoal, these are not filters at
all. The charcoal attracts organic chemicals and binds them. Oxidation /
filtration systems - these will help with iron and rotten egg odors.
Water softening/ion exchange - Exchange ions that cause hardness for
some that don't. Reverse osmosis - remove nitrates, metals, and hardness
ions. Produces small quantities of water. Distillation units - boil the
water and condense the steam. Remove inorganic and organic chemicals,
fluoride, etc. Takes a lot of energy to produce a little water. [Return]
What is
hard water?
Hard water is caused by the
presence of two naturally occurring elements: calcium and magnesium.
Hard water makes it "hard", or difficult to make a lather with soap.
Soft water indicates the relative absence of hardness, and is easy to
make a lather. The hardness of Forrest City' water is about 300 milligrams per
liter, which is termed "Very hard". [Return]
Should I
install a water softener in my home?
If you are bothered by
gummy, curd-like deposits in your bathtub, or a hard, white scale on
your cooking utensils, a water softener might be right for you. Only buy
from reputable dealers that will keep your equipment serviced for
you. [Return]
Why do my
ice cubes give off white stuff when they melt in my glass?
Inorganic chemicals such as
those that cause hardness may precipitate (form a solid, and settle out)
as ice melts. This is not toxic. [Return]
Should I
buy bottled water?
This is a personal
decision. Remember that public water systems are under closer scrutiny
by the government than water bottlers are. Also, bottled water may cost
as much as 1000 times as much as water from your local water purveyor.
Check the label carefully. Some of the meaningful terms are: Artesian -
water that came from an aquifer that is overlain with rock stratum that
is not an aquifer, causing the water to rise in the well. Groundwater -
water from an aquifer not under the influence of surface water. Aquifer:
Water yielding rock formations or strata. Mineral water - Water having
not less than 250 milligrams per liter total dissolved solids,
originating from a well. Purified or dematerialized - Water that has
undergone some treatment to remove contaminants. Sparking water -
carbonation added. Spring water - surface water emanating directly from
a groundwater source. [Return]
Is bottled
water safe to store?
No. Bottled water, like any
food, has a shelf life, especially since most bottled water has no or
very little chlorine. If you are storing water for an emergency, it’s
best to use cold tap water in clean, plastic bottles. This water should
be changed out frequently, since chlorine will dissipate slowly, and
microbes will grow. [Return]
What is the
average water consumption per day per individual?
This number varies greatly
due to factors such as irrigation. It has been estimated that a person
will use 50 gallons of water per day for eating and bathing. In the
United States, the average water consumption per capita is about 180
gallons, which includes all agricultural and industrial uses. If your
metered water consumption rises unexpectedly, you may have a leak. In
Forrest City, the average per household consumption is about 5000 gallons per
month. [Return]
Where does
the water go when it goes down the drain?
If you are on the sewer
system, the water and all the waste carried in it becomes wastewater,
and travels down pipes in the collection system, to be treated and
discharged. If you are on a septic tank, wastewater goes into a septic
tank, then into a leach field, and then into the groundwater, or, it may
be drawn into the root system of plants and discharged into the
atmosphere through transpiration. Water is used over and over again and
circulates through the hydrologic cycle. [Return]
What can I
pour safely down the drain or into the toilet?
Before you buy, think
environmentally friendly. Buy environmentally friendly products whenever
possible. When you do buy chemicals, buy just enough. Check with the
local sanitation department about reuse or recycle centers. Read the
label for acceptable means of disposal. The best practice is to not put
anything down the sink or toilet. If you are on a septic system, don’t
put anything down the drain that will not decompose easily. Minimize
water usage. [Return]
What is the
cost of water I use in my home?
That depends on who your
water purveyor is, but, in the U. S., the average cost of water is about
$2 per thousand gallons or $1.75 per 100 cubic feet. Contact your water purveyor for a list of water
and sewer rates. Click here to see
what Forrest City Water Utilities charges. [Return]
Why do hot
water tanks fail?
The natural properties of
water make holes in the metal walls of a water tank. Eventually, the
holes will rust through the wall of the tank, causing it to leak and
fail. Some areas are served by hard water, which causes a hard scale to
form around the heating units, causing them to burn out. Forrest City water is
very hard, which means that it tends to cause scaling. This
whitish deposit is called lime, or calcium carbonate. [Return]
How should
I fill my fish aquarium?
First, let a gallon or so
of water run down the drain, in case there might be some residual copper
or zinc from your household plumbing. This water could be saved for
watering plants, as a conservation measure. Next, fill the aquarium to
the desired level, making sure the water falls at least three feet into
the tank. This adds oxygen to the water. Let the water reach room
temperature before adding fish. Also, you may want to consult your pet
shop about removing chlorine from the water. [Return]
How does
the water department know how much water I use?
All services in Forrest City are
metered; that is, there is a water meter in the line from the water main
in the street or easement to your house. All water going to your home
passes through this meter. The meter is located in a box in the ground
with an iron lid. There might be two meters in the box. If you want to
read your own meter, contact Forrest City Water Utilities to find out your
meter number, and other details on how to read your own meter. [Return]
How do I
know my meter is accurately reading my water consumption?
Forrest City Water Utilities has
a program to regularly check the meters in the system for accuracy. If
you have a sudden change in your consumption for no apparent reason (out
of town, houseguests, watering the lawn or garden) contact FCWU. We are
only human and sometimes we make mistakes. Usually, when a meter fails,
it begins to run slower, not faster. [Return]
In the
home, what uses the most water?
Toilet flushing is the
biggest single use in the home. Most toilets use between 4 and 6 gallons
per flush. Not counting lawn watering, the next largest use is the
bathtub or shower. Very little is used for drinking (about 3
percent). [Return]
Can I put a
brick in my toilet tank to conserve water?
Yes, it is possible to save
on water consumption by displacing some of the water used for flushing.
Since bricks can crumble and damage the flushing mechanism, it’s
probably a better idea to use a plastic or glass container. Experiment
to see if the remaining volume of water will adequately flush water down
the toilet. [Return]
How can I
save water and save on my water bill?
Practice water conservation
in your home! Get everyone in your household educated on how to conserve
water. Get in the habit of conserving water. The EPA has
more information on conservation available at
EPA's
How to Conserve Water page. [Return]
Where does
my water come from?
If you are on Forrest City Water
Utility service, your drinking water comes from the
Mississippi River
Valley Alluvial Aquifer in Arkansas. If not, call your water
purveyor to get more details. [Return]
How much
water is used in America each day?
There is about 37 billion
gallons of tap water produced daily. Agriculture is the biggest user of
water, using about 200 billion gallons every day. Industrial water usage
is estimated at 160 billion gallons per day. [Return]
Are we
running out of water?
The amount of water on the
globe is constant. Periodic, localized shortages of water do occur.
These are called droughts. Eastern Arkansas is blessed with a
plentiful supply in underground aquifers.
This precious resource must be protected! To learn how you can help,
call the office, or come by, today. [Return]
How does
nature recycle water?
The earth constantly
recycles water through the hydrologic cycle. Water in streams and
rivers, which contain contaminants and pollutants, is warmed by the sun,
causing an increase in evaporation. Water lost through the leaves of
green plants is call transpiration. The gaseous water raises, and is
cooled in the atmosphere, making clouds. When conditions are right, the
water falls to the Earth as rain, refilling the streams, lake, oceans,
and aquifers. The processes of evaporation and transpiration purify the
water. In lakes and streams, algae and microbes eat certain
contaminants, removing the pollutants from water. [Return]
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