By State Rep. Lundy Kiger
For this column, I am sharing a letter I’ve written to the Heavener city manager and City Council members regarding the city’s new water contract and the quality of its water.
Heavener City Manager Cody Smith and City Council Members,
Since the city made the right decision in firing Veolia and hiring a new company to produce the city’s potable water, I’ve tried to watch from a distance while staying in touch with the constituents I represent in District 3 who also live in your city to make sure water quality continues to improve daily.
To date, there has been great improvement in the city’s water quality, and I’ve received calls from many saying this is the first time in years that many have been able to bathe or shower in clean water. On behalf of each of these people who I represent, I say thank you.
At the same time that I’m hearing of water quality improving, I also get calls that water arrives to some homes and businesses discolored. This doesn’t happen often now, but when it does occur I inquire on the reasons for this happening.
The majority of the time, discolored water comes from a broken water line or is related to valves being changed or opened from inadequate mapping being available to your employees. I also want to reiterate once again that the city knows that I’m always available to help in the search of funding for replacing some of your worst areas of water lines.
As we worked in 2019, and early 2020, in making sure the city’s water quality improved, I stated many times that clean water has to go hand in hand with the city properly repairing distribution and main line water breaks, as well as making necessary valve repairs and knowing where all valves are located and that this work is being done correctly. The reason, when clean water is produced at the water treatment plant it does no good if that clean water doesn’t make it to all homes and businesses as a clean and safe product.
I understand the city has old pipes to move potable water produced, but then again all cities in the state and nation have old pipes. This isn’t reason enough to allow discolored water to ever become the norm again to city residents.
Right now, I have the following questions on behalf of the people who I represent:
- Will the city do a complete drain and cleaning of the north tower prior to the switch over to PVIA to ensure that clean water and no bottom sedimentation is sent to OK Foods, the Choctaw business facility and residents on those lines?
- Does the water department have and utilize a developed and detailed Standard Operating Procedure on the proper approach in changing valves (direction of flow) in the system that is being used?
- Is the city prepared for the change over from city water to PVIA water when the new line is connected to the North tower in meeting all contract requirements?
On behalf of my constituents, and to make sure these steps are being taken, I’m letting you know that I’m asking DEQ to be involved in reviewing and discussing your plans on the above concerns with the goal of clean water going to all homes and businesses during this time of changeover.
As you know, DEQ was instrumental in helping the city during site inspections of the violations by VEOLIA. I’m sure that DEQ can be helpful to the city now related to the tower being properly cleaned and to ensure SOPs are in place related to valves.
Thank you,
Lundy Kiger
House District 3, LeFlore County
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