ARKANSAS, USA — Due to record-high temperatures across the state mixed with drought conditions, more counties and cities in Arkansas are asking residents to conserve water.
The National Weather Service predicts above-average temperatures for the next eight to 14 days with little to no rain in the state.
Officials say that water systems are seeing increased use and demand while experiencing hotter and drier than usual temperatures.
Below is a list of cities and counties that are asking residents to conserve water:
- In southern Sebastian County, communities Mansfield, Sugarloaf and Hackett are asked to conserve water
- The City of Fayetteville is asking people with homes and businesses in east Fayetteville, Elkins and Goshen to monitor their water use. The affected area is east of N. Crossover Road, particularly in areas off Highway 45 (E. Mission Blvd.) and Highway 16 (E. Huntsville Road). All odd-numbered addresses should only water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Even numbered addresses should only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Also, the City is asking both residential and commercial customers in the affected area to adjust irrigation (landscape sprinkler/watering) schedules to occur between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m
- Cedarville Water customers are being asked to conserve water as restrictions go into place
- In Poteau, Oklahoma, customers with James Morrison with Poteau Valley Improvement Authority are asked to conserve water.
- In Paris, Arkansas, storms swept through the area Sunday, July 17, so city officials ask everyone to conserve water because the tanks are low, causing water pressure issues. They ask that you only use water when you absolutely need to.
- Highfill is asking water customers to reduce outdoor watering usage and move forward with the odd/even watering schedule. Under the odd/even watering schedule, houses with addresses ending with odd number water on odd-numbered days; houses ending with even address water on even-numbered days.
- Fort Smith is being asked to conserve water use while the treatment plant undergoes emergency maintenance.
On July 14, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson wrote a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture asking for a disaster declaration for the entire state.
A report shows all of Arkansas in a drought with the hottest temperatures the state has seen in 10 years, causing farmers in the state to have trouble producing hay, heavily affecting cattle herds. Row crops also need more water to grow in the dry weather, increasing costs and stressing irrigation equipment.
Wildfire danger in Arkansas is also at a 10-year high, causing 53 of the state's 75 counties to issue burn bans.
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