Changes in Monticello City Water- An Interview with Mayor Chase
July 11th, 2019 by
Recently, several customers of the City Water System have contacted our news department, complaining of the color, taste and smell of tap water, specifically the taste of chlorine.
We recently spoke with Mayor Paige Chase, who told us, “The chlorine is not the problem. We have a naturally occurring ammonia in our water, that we’ve been dealing with for 4-5 months.
City officials have been in constant communication with the Arkansas Health Dept and rural water association to solve the problem.
According to Mayor Chase, “The only way to solve this problem is to add chlorine. We’ve been using their knowledge to try to solve the problem.
Neither of those organizations has been able to determine why we can’t get the ammonia cleared up, or why it’s there. We are continually trying to get rid of the ammonia, but the only way they know of to do that, is to add more chlorine.
Mayor Chase stated that she drinks city water at her residence, every morning. “It is safe to drink, absolutely. It is safe to bathe in.”
“The ammonia problem is believed to be randomly occurring, citywide. In closing, the city is adding chlorine, at the rate recommended by the state water boards. All city water systems in the state are checked regularly, and tested by the department of health.”
Should any notices or other information about the water situation be issued, they will be posted on MonticelloLive.com
I live outside the city limits but pay for city water. I’m very confused about this article. I can’t get over the fact that our water has had a great taste and smell for years ?? And last three weeks (or so) is just nasty. Tasting and smelling. If this isn’t a “recent” issue as the city of Monticello states?? Why is it just now nasty ? Why is it just now being complained about ?? Obviously hasn’t been an ongoing problem for us paying for the water. Very confused right now.
Nothing wrong with the way it smells or tastes. lt’s all good.
When we called the city and asked for a copy of Monticello’s water analysis, we were told to contact the Arkansas Department of Health. Why is it not available to citizens from the city directly?
We called the Arkansas Department of Health. Spoke with Jack in Engineering. He did a good job of explaining chemically what happens when chlorine is added to water when treating ammonia. It is a rather complicated multi-stepped process. In approximately 6 weeks our entire system will be treated. I hope the city will post a technical explanation for all citizens to read. We are comfortable that our water is and has been safe, just tastes differently. This will all be resolved when the system is back in balance.