201409 Looking Back
Fifty Years Ago
Southwest Section Annual Conference set for October 18-21, 1964 in Tulsa, OK
Shortage of water in Ardmore, OK has caused stringent rationing laws to be put into effect. Action was
taken after water officials reported that reservoir supplies, including production of seven city wells,
would be exhausted in four months unless rationing were applies or ample rains came. As a result, use
of water was limited to “inside, domestic and commercial purposes only.” Prohibited was “all watering
of lawns, shrubs, washing of cars, or any other use of water outside of the principal building on the
property”. Penalty for violation was set at $200 and costs, with every day of continuing violation
considered a separate violation.
Voters in Hinton, OK voted to approve a $100,000 bond issue for a new well and a 300,000-gallon
storage tank, along with other facilities.
J. Richard Pierce, Vice President of the General Waterworks Corp., Pine Bluff, AR announced that a new
project is underway to extend the firm’s mains 41 miles to meet fire protection and other needs of a
recently annexed area of the city. The $870,000 project has been pending court settlement of the
annexation’s legality.
Colbert, OK put its new $366,000 water system into operation for 303 water customers and 199 sewer
customers.
An $870,000 public works improvement program for Whit Castle, LA includes $80,000 in water tax
bonds and $267,000 in sales tax bonds for sewage. The issue gained voted approval, and additional
funds re expected to be forthcoming from the federal government.
Membership Statistics
Arkansas
248
Louisiana
162
Oklahoma
178
Texas
675
Section Total
1,263
The Arkansas Supreme Court will have to decide about Fayetteville’s water dispute with the Greenland
Water District. Back in 1951 it was agreed that revenues from sale of water to the district’s patrons
would be divided evenly between the city and the district “until the last bond is called in.” Bonds were
scheduled to be retired in 1970. The district, however, paid off and recalled all but two $500 bonds.
This kept the revenue-splitting agreement in force, much to Fayetteville’s discomfort. When the City
held back $11,000 in revenues, the case went to court, where the judge ruled that the city must
continue to maintain the water mains and split the money with the district as long as any bonds were
outstanding. The city bought out both outstanding bonds in 1962.
A $15,000 grant for a two-year research program in fields of embedments, foundations and construction
practices of sanitary sewers in the Fulf Coast area has been made to Tulane University by W. S. Dickey
Clay Mfg. Co. The research program is sponsored jointly by the Sewerage and Water Board of New
Orleans, the U. S. Public Health Service and the Dickey organization. It will be conducted by the
Department of Civil Engineering of the university with technical assistance from the staff of the SWBNO.
Twenty Years Ago
The 1994 Southwest Section Conference was set for August 13-17 in New Orleans.
Chair Henry Templet wrote his farewell address.
The City of Alexandria, LA conducted a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Volunteers
collected 915 gallons of used paint and 351 gallons of used oil, and were the materials collected in the
largest quantity.
Dorinda Suitor was named Arkansas Wastewater Manager of the Year during the 1994 Arkansas Water
Works and Water Environment Association’s Annual Meeting. Ms. Suitor serves as the Manager of the
Arkadelphia Water and Sewer Utilities.
Ten Years Ago
Southwest Section Chair Bruno Kirsch invites Southwest Section members to attend the upcoming
Section conference set for October 10-12 in Little Rock, AR. Chair Kirsch’s officer article focused on
aging workforce issues.
Terry Englehardt authored an article entitled “Terrorism and Our Water Supply”, which detailed
strategies and techniques that water utilities should consider to protect its water supply, treatment and
distribution operations.