The Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority is reporting several member water systems are not paying their share of legal costs. According to the Harrison Daily Times, the authority held its quarterly board meeting earlier this month at Valley Springs City Hall, and chairman Andy Anderson said it’s $3,355 short of money to be used in a lawsuit against the Arkansas Department of Health. Anderson stated Western Grove, Lead Hill, Marshall, SDM, South Mountain and Morning Star systems have not fully paid their shares into the legal fund.
The lawsuit was filed over fluoridation requirements. The Arkansas legislature passed Act 197 of 2011 requiring all water systems with more than 5,000 customers must add fluoride to the water. The authority argues it sells water to 18 systems, and since none of the individual systems have 5,000 customers, it should be excused from fluoridation requirements. The authority board agreed in December 2015 the cost of litigation, estimated to be $12,500, would be shared equally among the systems. Each water system would pay $100 per month until that amount was reached.
No court date has been set for the lawsuit. The Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority is represented by Little Rock attorney Chris Lawson of Friday, Eldredge and Clark.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI