Some customers of Southwest Ouachita Water Company feel they are not getting answers on how the company is treating their water supply.
About 60 people attended a SWOW board meeting Monday night to address concerns about the discoloration and unhealthy appearance of water supplied to over 3,200 customers.
Board members oversaw an agenda that included a lengthy presentation on a long-term resolution plan by a company engineer. The project would cost $8.8 million. A Department of Health and Hospitals official stated water samples taken from the system met regulatory standards.
Some community members were given time to speak, most addressing more recent samples from households. A few people were escorted from the meeting by sheriff's deputies after shouting that the board did not want to hear their side of the issue.
Jack Clampit, a SWOW customer, was dissatisfied with the meeting. "Our problem is that we need to be exploring what we're doing today. And so far, they have steadfastly stonewalled us. They've not told what they're using, how they're treating it," he said. An SWOW board member did not respond to a request by KEDM for comment.
Clampit feels questions remain as to whether or not the proposed multi-million dollar plan would work. "Because of the issues we've had, we don't know if a carbon filter is going to last 4-6 months or a full year. The cost of replacing filters could make this real bad," he said.
Clampit acknowledged at least concern over the matter is growing. In addition to DHH officials, area legislators were in attendance to hear about the water quality problems.
