White Hall Mayor Noel Foster said while the city has adequate sources to meet the city’s water demands, residents should avoid being wasteful when it comes to using water.
“It is hot, very hot, and this is just the start of summer,” he said Friday. “There is no question the lack of rainfall has curtailed a number of activities.”
Several Arkansas communities have urged residents to halt the practice of watering yards because of drought conditions, Foster said, noting on Friday he talked with Lester Melton, manager of United Water of Arkansas’ Pine Bluff operation, to inquire about any potential problems. The city has been purchasing its water from United Water since last year.
While United Water’s manager said the firm does not anticipate any problems, “I caution residents that with the burn ban in effect, we must be cautious to avoid any outside burning and to avoid wasting water,” Foster said.
Wildfires can spread quickly, he reminded residents, and high temperatures and below average rain fall can quickly turn a small fire into a major disaster.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We have adequate water in our storage tanks, but a big fire can quickly drain the tanks,” the mayor said.
He noted area police agencies are enforcing the county-wide burn ban, which prohibits the discharge of fireworks. Three fireworks displays in the county will go on as scheduled Wednesday evening, but with police and fire personnel present.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission has listed all 75 counties “in extreme wildfire danger. More than 90 percent of the state is experiencing a “severe drought,” the commission said.