Searcy Waterworks

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1. Why should I know where my internal shut-off valve is located?

   Locating your interior shut-off valve is crucial for emergency situations. If a leak or plumbing damage occurs, quickly shutting off the water can prevent extensive damage. These valves are typically found in crawl spaces, basements, or on the lowest floor of your building. If you can't find yours, contact our office for assistance.

2. How "hard" is the water in Searcy?

   Water hardness is caused by calcium and magnesium minerals. When present in significant amounts, these minerals make creating soap lather difficult, hence the term "hard water." Generally, hardness below 75 mg/L is considered soft, while above 150 mg/L is hard. Our raw water from local sources measures between 400-440 mg/L. We purchase approximately 4,000 tons of salt annually to soften water during treatment, resulting in finished water measuring between 120-140 mg/L.

3. I live in an apartment where water is included in my rent. How can I access information about my tap water?

   Searcy Waterworks makes significant efforts to reach customers who don't receive direct water bills through multiple channels: posting our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) online, newspaper advertisements about CCR availability, distributing reports at prominent locations throughout our service area, providing copies to apartment building managers for resident distribution, and making reports available at our business office.

4. Is garden hose water safe to drink?

   While the water entering your garden hose is safe, the hose itself contains special chemicals that make it flexible. These chemicals aren't safe for consumption, nor are potential microorganisms that may grow inside the hose.

5. How are harmful bacteria kept out of municipal water?

   We add chlorine to disinfect our water, which is the most common treatment method nationwide. Effective disinfection requires using an agent that maintains a residual presence throughout the distribution system. Chlorine is the best understood disinfectant that provides this lasting protection. We maintain a small residual amount as water travels through pipes to customers' homes, and levels are checked daily to ensure safety.

6. Are the chemicals in municipal water harmful?

   No. Our treated water meets or exceeds all state and federal quality regulations and undergoes regular testing to ensure safety. The EPA requires all public water suppliers to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) by July 1st each year. These standardized reports list levels of regulated contaminants detected in treated water during the previous calendar year, alongside EPA's health-based standards for comparison. Our treated water consistently meets these standards.

7. Is chlorinated water safe to drink?

   Yes. Extensive research has shown that the chlorine levels in treated water are safe for consumption, though some people may notice the taste. Note: Even at appropriate levels, the chlorine in municipal water makes it unsuitable for kidney dialysis machines or aquariums.

8. Is the fluoride in my municipal water safe?

   Yes. Over 50 years of comprehensive research has demonstrated that fluoride in drinking water is safe when maintained at proper levels.