Rosston businesses will need to add back flow valves

ROSSTON -Back flow valves will have to be added to some customer’s water lines where the Rosston Rural Water System is concerned.

At the August meeting of the Rosston City Council, Tim Woods, water superintendent, pointed out the Arkansas Department of Health now requires back flow valves for businesses such as chicken houses, those serving food, car washes, among others. This is to prevent contaminated water from getting into the system. The council approved a resolution requiring this to be done. Wood said the customers will be responsible for getting the valves installed and having them checked annually. The purpose, he said, is to protect the public drinking water.

According to Wood, having the valves installed and inspected isn’t a big expense and won’t affect many users. The city will keep a list of those with back flow valves and notify them each year to have them checked. He pointed out the city had no choice but to pass the resolution or be fined by the state. Customers needing to install the valves have a year to get this done.

In other business, Mayor Dale Quarles said the city is still working on an online bill pay system, but the problem is the city’s current internet provider isn’t fast enough. The city is looking into finding another provider with high speed internet so people can pay their bills online, as well as use debit cards to pay their water bill. Quarles said there’s a lot of public interest in online bill pay.

The only other business was an update on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) situation. Quarles said it’s a long process, with one part closed out last week and another one to be completed. When it’s done, the city should get money from FEMA from the ice storm.