Lamont Davis was with Deltaplex Radio Friday morning to discuss water situation in Pine Bluff.
Following is Press release Liberty distributed at 11 am Friday February 19th at 11 am.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas – February 19, 2021 – Last night, we experienced an equipment issue at one of the three water production plants that serve Pine Bluff. This is unrelated to the announcement yesterday regarding increased demand on the Liberty system and the resulting decreased water pressure. However, this equipment issue is causing water pressure to drop even further. Crews immediately began repairs at the plant, worked through the night, and continue to work to fix the equipment. The cause of the equipment issue is not known at this time.
While water pressure has decreased, a water boil advisory is still not required at this time. We will update customers through local media, our website, and a customer email to customers who have email addresses on file should that change. We have received reports of some business and residents who are experiencing minimal water pressure. We would like to thank the Watson Chapel Fire Department for their assistance in helping improve water service conditions at Jefferson Regional Medical Center during the night. We would also like to thank the Pine Bluff Fire Department for their continued assistance as we work through this emergency.
We have not, at this time, experienced a water main break that we are aware of. Our crews are patrolling the city actively looking for possible breaks. The prolonged bitter cold and increased demand continue to stress on our system. If customers see a water leak or break at vacant or unoccupied homes or businesses, please report this to our emergency line at 855-382-6511.
We also encourage our customers to conserve water where safely possible. Please note – customers concerned about their water pipes breaking or freezing should continue to protect their water pipes by leaving cabinet doors open to allow for additional heat and a small amount of water dripping from the faucets.
“We are grateful to our customers for their efforts to conserve water and report water leaks and breaks,” said Mike Beatty, Vice President, Liberty Water and Gas Operations. “The extreme weather conditions are challenging for all, but our crews won’t stop until water service is returned to normal. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
Water conservation tips include:
- Only run full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine – postpone this activity if possible.
- Take brief, five-minute showers, which takes approximately 10 gallons of water, rather than a bath, which can take approximately 30 gallons of water.
- Turn off water while brushing teeth.
Customer should continue to protect the pipes in their own home or business:
- Inspect all pipes for signs of leaks. If damage is discovered, customers should turn off their water at the main valve/shut-off and call a licensed plumber for assistance.
- If a frozen pipe is exposed, consider using a hair dryer or space heater to thaw the blockage. Under no circumstances should customers ever use an open flame.
