M Focus on: Public Works
Teamwork kept Hot Springs’ water flowing
By AMANDA DEMSTER | The Municipal
Winter 2021 wreaked icy wrath on much of the southern part of the United States. Cities throughout the region made the news daily, with tales of mass power outages, water shortages and even fatalities. Despite the tragedies that arose, there were below for 11 days, with seven of those reacha few success stories, and in the face of ing the teens or colder. It began with a winter storm that buried unexpected cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, entities like the city of Hot Springs, some parts of Hot Springs in as many as 16 Ark., Utilities Department were able to con- inches of snow. “The February winter storm dealt a harsh tinue servicing customers. Keeping the water flowing was easier said blow to communities all over Arkansas and than done. Despite the city’s name, the frigid the surrounding states,” Ledbetter said. air continuously threatened to freeze pipes “During the almost five-day event, recordlow temperatures led to damaged water solid. According to Hot Springs Utilities Direc- mains and frozen service lines.” tor Monty Ledbetter, a normal winter for Many residents, Ledbetter said, were the area ranges between 36 and 53 degrees not aware their pipes had burst under the Fahrenheit roughly. In February, however, ground, hidden beneath the snow. The burst nighttime temperatures fell to freezing or pipes meant a potential decrease in water 28 THE MUNICIPAL | JULY 2021
ABOVE: Hot Springs, Ark., is known for its naturally heated springs, but a massive winter storm in February 2021 threatened to grind its water operations to a halt. (Shutterstock.com)
pressure, which the utilities department needed to address head-on. “Hot Springs was dangerously close to running out of an adequate water supply,” he said. The city moved into action, issuing public notices and making calls asking residents to reduce their water usage. “During freezing temperatures, people often allow water taps to run in order to prevent frozen pipes,” Ledbetter said. “Residents were asked to reduce the flow to a drip.” Besides having adequate water for drinking and hygiene, fire protection was also a concern. Should a fire break out in someone’s home or business, the fire department
