Water back on in Arkansas town after fire damaged plant

PARKIN, Ark. — The east Arkansas community of Parkin went two days without water after a fire damaged the town’s water pumps.

Maurice Bailey, superintendent for the Parkin Water Department, said a fire Tuesday morning in the electrical panel at the Parkin Water Plant was preventing the service pumps from pumping water to Parkin’s water towers for customers.

The City had just been approved for a $1.8 million grant to upgrade the water plant built in 1974, just in time for this unexpected shut down says Parkin Mayor Diane Patterson.

“I’m hoping, and I’m pretty sure from talking to my engineer, that he’s going to add all this into the grant so it can be covered. The City would not be able to pay for this if it wasn’t for the grant,” said Patterson.

By noon Thursday, the electrical panel was repaired and officials said water could be flowing to customers again within two or three hours.

City officials say the water is safe for cooking, cleaning, showers, and toilets because there was never a water main break, only the electrical fire.

A precautionary Boil Water Notice will remain in affect until three water samples are submitted.

The issue impacted not only Parkin but 200 rural customers served by Parkin Water.

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