Centerton officials confirmed Sunday morning that a water overflow at a small standpipe off Highway 72 was the result of a malfunctioning altitude valve, not a structural failure of the city’s main water tower. Scott Borman, General Manager of the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority, explained that the valve, which automatically monitors water levels, became stuck and allowed water to spill over the top of the standpipe.
Rapid response and resolution
Alarms sounded between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., prompting crews to the site within minutes. The team was able to correct the valve issue and stop the flow in roughly half an hour. Video taken by local resident Paige Walker at 7:16 a.m. captured the brief overflow, showing water streaming from the top of the standpipe before the problem was addressed.
Impact on the water system
Borman emphasized that the incident did not affect the city’s overall water levels or its conservation efforts. The standpipe involved is a small auxiliary structure, separate from Centerton’s primary water storage tank, and it is not owned by the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority, though it sits near one of their facilities.
What is an altitude valve?
An altitude valve is an automatic gauge that detects changes in water elevation within a tank or standpipe. When the valve operates correctly, it helps maintain proper water pressure and prevents overflow. In this case, the valve became stuck in the open position, causing water to rise above the intended limit.
City’s next steps
City officials are reviewing maintenance protocols for altitude valves to reduce the likelihood of a repeat occurrence. While the cause of the valve’s failure remains unclear, Borman noted that the water authority will work with Centerton’s public works department to ensure all monitoring equipment is inspected regularly.
Community reassurance
Residents were reassured that there was no danger to the public water supply and that water quality remained unchanged. The quick response demonstrated the coordination between the city’s emergency services and the regional water authority, highlighting the importance of vigilant infrastructure monitoring.
Centerton’s water system continues to serve the community without interruption, and officials encourage citizens to report any unusual water service issues promptly.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
