FORT SMITH : Water sale resolution approved by directors
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/239609/
FORT SMITH — Fort Smith city directors passed a resolution Tuesday aimed at helping a group of water users apply for government funding to improve their water facilities.
The directors voted 5-2 on a resolution of intent to sell water to the Franklin and Sebastian Water Association, excluding Greenwood.
The association, composed of Greenwood, Lavaca, Central City, Charleston and the River South Rural Water District in Franklin County, requested the resolution so it could show federal and state agencies that it has fulfilled the requirement of having a reliable source of water. Group members plan to apply for funding for water facilities.
The association hopes to use some of the funding it plans to apply for to lay a water line that would connect the water systems to Fort Smith’s. Lavaca and Central City already buy water from Fort Smith.
For some of the members, the need for Fort Smith water and facilities improvements is urgent. Charleston nearly ran out of water two summers ago, and Lavaca needs to replace its water transmission line.
Charleston wants to buy 20, 000 gallons of water a day from Fort Smith while the River South Water District wants 50, 000 gallons a day. In both cases, the water they buy from Fort Smith will supplement current sources.
Last month, the directors tabled the resolution for six months so an independent study could be performed on the life span of the newly expanded Lake Fort Smith to determine if the city had enough water to sell.
State Rep. Steve Creekmore, D-Greenwood, who spoke for the association, asked the directors last month not to delay voting on the resolution, because the association would miss the opportunity to apply for funds during next year’s legislative session.
City directors brought the resolution back last week, relying on staff estimates rather than an independent study, showing that Fort Smith could afford to sell the extra 70, 000 gallons a day, an increase of 0. 3 percent of the city’s daily water demand.
Directors Kevin Settle and Bill Maddox, who voted against the resolution, were concerned that selling water to the association could leave Fort Smith residents without enough water in the future.
Greenwood Mayor Kenneth Edwards said the city didn’t want to buy water from Fort Smith but wanted to stay in the association for whatever water funds they may be eligible to receive through the association.