Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. is a member of the task force looking at problems with the water system in Pine Bluff and submitted the following information to Deltaplex News.

The City of Pine Bluff along with Jefferson County and other officials and stakeholders have been conducting daily meetings with Liberty Utilities in an effort to gain updates on what actions the company is taking to resolve the issue of low water pressure in the city.

A meeting was held this morning, February 23rd at 9 a.m., and the following updates were provided:

What’s new since our last update

  •     More leaks have been reported by customers and found by Liberty’s crew – a couple of these were larger leaks. They continue to work the leaks, and are seeing some improvement in water pressure.

What’s happening today

  •     Segmentation is still underway, and Liberty continues to focus Plant 2 on the hospital. This is an effort to improve water pressures at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
  •     Additional Liberty resources will start to arrive today. They will have 14 from their California water utilities (late afternoon), 4 from their Arizona utilities (they are wrapping emergency response in Texas and will be here today), and 12 Liberty team members from their electric utility (today).
  •     Currently 24 Liberty operations team members on site and working in the community

By the Numbers – 2-23-21

  •     Water pressures at plants as of 8 a.m., 2-23-2021

– Pressures are improving at all plants

– Plant 1: 18.8 PSI

– Plant 2: 40 PSI

– Plant 3: 31.9 PSI

  •     24 Liberty operations team members on site and working in the community
  •     Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility continues to provide assistance
  •     Total number of leaks / breaks found to date:

– 122 residences (These are not Liberty systems, but customer-owned pipes. Once reported, we shut of the meter to stop the flow of water and allow customers to begin repairs).

– Current water production level: 13.445 million gallons (typical for this time of year is 7 to 9 million gallons)