Today in Fort Smith has spent the last several weeks documenting water leaks across Fort Smith. Today we once again sent an FOIA request to the City of Fort Smith requesting a spreadsheet/master list of all the reported active after leaks in the city.
Last week, the city sent out its monthly "Leak Report" (which didn't exist before we started reporting on the various leaks around the city), and by their admission, there are over 700 active water leaks in Fort Smith. For the city to have tabulated that number, a list and/or a spreadsheet must exist someplace with the addresses of all the reported leaks.
It is that list we are seeking, and there is no valid reason the city can deny Today in Fort Smith as a media outlet or Dennis McCaslin as a private citizen the information requested.
Once again, the list we seek must exist or the city is acknowledging we have over 700 leaks and they have no idea of where they are located. It's an "either/or" deal, so their response will dictate our future slant on stories concerning this matter.
We can walk i the sunshine of transparency or we can contiue to operate in the shadows.
I keep getting from some city officials and even some residents that "the citizens are not being charged for the water we lose, so why is it a big deal?"
But the citizens are, for reasons listed below.
The costs related to treating water wasted by city municipalities through leaks can be significant. These include the expenses for treating and pumping the water that is ultimately lost through leaks. This encompasses the costs of chemicals, energy, and labor required for water treatment and distribution.
A few meetings back, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of $440,000 in liquid fluoride purchases to treat city water, How much of that almost half-million dollar investment will be lost over the next year as leaks run into sewer abatement and eventually makes it into ditches, creeks and, at the end, the Arkansas River?
In addition, water that is lost through leaks is water that could have been sold to consumers. This represents a significant loss of potential revenue for municipalities. Apparent losses, which include unauthorized consumption and metering inaccuracies, also contribute to this financial burden.
Leaks can lead to environmental damage and increased water scarcity, which can have broader social and economic impacts.
Leaks can create entry points for contaminants, posing risks to public health. Addressing these leaks is crucial for maintaining safe drinking water. In addition, standing water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and mosquito larva, creating not only a nuisance situation but a health hazard as well.
According to internet sources, the possible price range for a municipality to repair a meter-based water leak is between $350 and $1,575. Let's be fair and call the average repair, including the cost of hourly labor for the city, $1000.
Given those numbers, the city of Fort Smith could have repaired 4200 water leaks for the price of the new slides we just bought for the water park. Slides that were bought even though nary a citizen at the Board of Directors meeting where the purchase was confirmed raised their hand when asked if they were in favor of the slides.
Nothing happens in this city unless a decades-old cabal of the "right" names makes a profit from it. Consent decrees about the sewers, water leaks, pothole repairs and the like don't put money in the right person's pocket. If so, those issues would have been addressed long ago.
People are starting to wake up. The emotions and outbursts (from both the citizens and some BOD members) at the last Blue Lion get-together is indicative of the pulse of the people. Like the ol' boy said in the movie "Broadcast News"...people are mad as hell and their just not going to take it anymore.
Like I said before, apathy has put us where we are. We allow those that REALLY control this city to hand-pick the Board of Director candidates they need to maintain that 4-3 voting majority and give us a false sense of thinking WE have a say in any of this.
I have seen it in the past several elections and we're seeing it in the current election. The only reason the three candidates for the position that is opening up are being allowed to run is because the powers that be will have their majority (regardless) and a city administrator that is in their back pocket.
And trust me. "Their" guy will win.He (or she) always does.
I can tell you right now who the next elected City Director will be. Heaven forbid someone who can and will think for themselves gets elected.
That's not part of the master plan.
But back to the water leaks.
I get it. Aging infrastructure is a major contributor to water loss. Repairing and upgrading water systems to prevent leaks can be very costly. The U.S. is estimated to need up to $200 billion over the next 20 years to upgrade its water systems, with about $97 billion specifically for water loss control.
Addressing water leaks involves a combination of regular audits, timely repairs, and infrastructure upgrades.
While the initial investment can be high, the long-term savings and benefits, including improved public health and environmental protection, make it a worthwhile, common-sense endeavor.
And we're back to square one.
With Nero fiddling away like usual.
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