05/30/2026
After my investigation of the actual incident, I want to clarify some information on the Boil Order that was issued this afternoon by Arkansas Department of Health. Late this afternoon we received notice that a testing site that one of our employees pulled from tested positive for E. Coli Bacteria. This employee is not the normal person who does the testing, they mistakenly took a sample from a frost free bury hydrant. I am being told that taking a sample from this type of source is not permissible.
It should be noted that other samples taken in the area very close to the positive test site, all tested negative. We purchase our treated water from the City of Fayetteville and they have not had any positive tests that would indicate there is a problem with the water they provide to Elkins. With that being said, Arkansas Department of Health who is the regulatory authority has issued an Emergency Boil Order for the residents of the City of Elkins Water System only. I recommend that all residents within the City abide by the Order as requested.
What are the next steps? On Monday, we will be doing a series of sample tests and will send them to ADH for analysis. On Wednesday, we will be doing another series of sample tests and providing them to ADH for analysis. We are hoping to have this issue resolved by Thursday or Friday of next week. I have been asked if there is anyway to speed up the process and unfortunately there is not. I know this is an inconvenience for everyone however, these are the requirements that the State of Arkansas has put in place for everyone’s safety.
I cannot stress this enough, out of several test sites within our water system, this site on a bury hydrant was the ONLY site to test positive.
Thank you all for your attention to this matter.
Mayor Troy Reed
