Message from Benton Utilities Thursday February 18th 2021

2/18/21, 11:39 a.m. - Customers should start noticing pressure returning to normal over the next hour or so. It is just going to take a while to recharge the all mains and services that were drained. The crew has isolated the problem which was a vehicle versus fire hydrant hit and run accident at the intersection of S. East & Willow St. They will be working over the next 3-4 hours to make the necessary repairs to the fire hydrant then they will reverse the isolation and all pressure should be back 100% to normal. As your pressure returns, you may notice air in your lines or milky water, when you pressure returns. If you do, please turn your cold water on approx. 5 minutes to remove the air. If you do not have normal pressure after 3 p.m., please give our office a call (501) 776-5930. We will do our best to get as much air out of the lines as well, it is just challenging with the weather our crews are enduring. We truly appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented winter storm.

2/18/21, 9:45 a.m., the crew is working near the fire hydrant, they have located two valves, they are trying to get them to operate in order to isolate the issue. They are currently digging them up and trying to thaw them. I will continue to update as info. becomes available. A fire hydrant is broke that is on a 16" water main at the intersection of East & Willow. It is a lake where they are working. At this point in time, we believe this is what had caused our customers issues.

2/18/21, 6:45 a.m. - The water dept. is out, we have just had a report of a fire hydrant being struck and gushing water. We have had multiple calls on the south side of Benton this morning of low or no pressure. Our crews have checked fire hydrants on Edison, and they all have flow on them. We believe the fire hydrant being broke is causing the low to no pressure issues customers are experiencing.

Be Safe and Stay Warm! Please stay home if possible as road conditions are hazardous.

Thank You!

City of Benton