Public Notice

The Beaverfork PWA is a public water system subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Those regulations require the notification of customers whenever a violation occurs and is the basis for this notice.

The annual average of quarterly samples of the level of total trihalomethanes, a disinfection by-product, in the water exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 80 parts per billion for the period from April 2023 and June 2023. The average level in your water for site # 844YD007 this period was 84 ppb.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets national standards for drinking water and has established the maximum level for Total Trihalomethanes at 80 micrograms per liter. Trihalomethanes are a group of by-product chemicals which are formed by the use of chlorine in the treatment of drinking water. Disinfectants, such as chlorine, react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA has determined that a number of DBPs are a health concern at certain levels of exposure.

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. EPA has set standards to limit exposure to trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and other DBPs.

The Arkansas Department of Health has advised the water system that there is no immediate health risk from consuming the water. Failure to meet this requirement does not mean that the water is unsafe or that alternate sources of water should be used.

The water system had a tank control valve regulator malfunction causing the valve to perform erratic, which altered the proper movement of water though the system. The issue was corrected when the regulator was rebuilt.   

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact Beaverfork PWA at 501-329-4200 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at 501-661-2623. Information on drinking water can be obtained from the Engineering Section at 501-661-2623 and on health effects of Trihalomethanes from the Epidemiology Section at 501-280-4186.