According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the Pyatt Waterworks public water system is subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to require notification to customers whenever a violation occurs.
In June 2023, a Total Coliform positive repeat sample violation occurred following an E.Coli positive routine sample. The United State Environment Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standard and has determined the presence of E.Coli bacteria is a serious health concern.
E.Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems. The EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for E.Coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water samples must be free of these bacteria. Drinking water which meets this standard is associated with little or none of this risk and should be considered safe.
The Arkansas Department of Health advises consumers the water is considered unsafe for human consumption and water used for drinking and food preparation must be boiled briskly for one minute prior to use.
The order will be lifted by the Arkansas Department of Health when two sets of bacteriological samples taken on consecutive days indicate the water is free of bacteriological contamination and an adequate disinfectant level is established throughout the system.
The water system has replaced the chemical feed pump and flushed the system to correct the violation.
Any questions concerning this notice should contact the water system at 870-427-3443 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at 501-661-2623.
Information on drinking water can be obtained from the Engineering Section at 501-661-2623 and on the health effects of E.Coli from the Epidemiology Section at 501-280-4186.
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