Baxter-Marion Rural Water Association #1
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  • F A Q's
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ's):

1.       Must everyone connect to the proposed water system?

            No.  Connecting to the water system is your choice.  

2.       Will residents who choose not to be a part of the water system bear any
                       cost?

          No. If you have not signed up for water, you are not a member or customer of                  the water association.  If you are not tied into the water system, no one can                          charge you for water you did not agree to buy. 

3.       How is the water system funded?


          Federal and state loans and grants finance the initial cost of the water system.                   Grants are not repaid.  Loans are repaid from water usage revenues.                                  Revenues collected from the sale of water are also used for system operation                  and maintenance.  The Federal loans and grants are through the U.S.                              Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA RD).  The State grant is                  through the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission (ANRC).

4.      Will my assessed property value increase due to the water system?


          No. At a meeting last year the Marion County Assessor assured the audience                   their property values would not be affected by the water system.

5.      What is the current cost to sign up to the water system?


          For a residence, there is a $1250.00* tap fee, a $1,000.00 Depletion Fee, a
          $100.00 membership Fee, a $100.00 refundable meter
deposit, a $25.00
          connection fee, and a $25.00 inspection fee for the user’s
  private service line
          from the meter to the residence, all for a total cost of
   $2500.00.

          *   Please be aware that the Tap Fee may be more depending on the
              cost to connect to the main water line.


          see questions below for additional information.


6.    What is the duration of the agreement to receive water?                                                                        
                When you sign up for water, you agree to pay the minimum monthly charge for                 not less than five years.  However, if you then sell your property within the five                   year period, the agreement may be transferred to the new property owner.                             After this five year period, you can refuse future water delivery without any                               penalty.

7.    What is the estimated monthly water bill?
                                                                           

                The minimum monthly charge for users, whether or not water flows through the                 meter, is $42.00.  This charge covers up to using 1,000 gallons per month.  An                 average household of four people may use approximately 4,000 gallons per                         month, which means the total average monthly water bill would be about                                    $56.00. Note this does not include state taxes.

8.  
When will the users begin receiving their water bills?

              The minimum monthly charge for users begins on the date the water is made                    available, regardless of whether or not the user’s service line is installed.    
         That 
means, once the water meter is placed on your property, and water is at
         the
meter, you will start being charged the monthly fee, whether or not you have                 constructed your water line from the meter into your house.

9.    Where will the water mains be installed?
                                                                                                  

                 The water mains are constructed generally parallel to the roads.  Water meters                 are only installed for those users who have signed into the water system.

10.    Who is responsible for connecting to the water system?


         The user is responsible for installing, at user’s expense, a service line from the                 water meter to their residence.  The user must also provide certain plumbing                     fittings, such as a pressure reducing valve, a cut-off valve, and a back-flow                         device in the user’s service line.  The exact items necessary, the cost for these                 items and the service line will vary according to such things as length of the                         user’s service line and the Arkansas plumbing code. These costs are                                         negotiated between the user and the user’s personal installation contractor.

11.    Can I keep my well?


        Yes. You can still use your well when you connect to the water system.                                         However, the two water sources cannot use the same pipes or be tied                         together.

12.
  Will the local fire department benefit from the water system?

          Flushing (not fire) hydrants are installed in the water main system for system                      maintenance.  They are not designed for fighting fires directly, but can be used                   for refilling fire tanker trucks or fire pump trucks.  Any individual may choose to                   pay the total installation cost for a flushing hydrant near their property, if one is                   not otherwise engineered for that location.

13.    Can a water meter be installed on vacant property?


          Government loan requires a foundation and floor must exist as a minimum in                       order to qualify for a water meter.  We have been allowing customers to                        sign up for property that is currently undeveloped, with the understanding that                    by the time of water system construction, the Government minimum                                   requirements will be met.

14.  
What about property easements?

        Property easements for this project in both Baxter and Marion counties are not
                 handled by the water association, but by the land owner.

15.   What is the salary for the committee members?

        The committee members are all volunteers. The only one who will be paid when
             the project is completed is the design engineer.  Future committee members                      will also be volunteers, elected by the members of the water association.

16.  
 Will a committee member financially benefit from the water system                                     project?

        No. Strict Federal and State conflict of interest regulations prohibit a committee
               member or relatives from having any financial interest in the project.

17.  
How is the project administrated?

        In August 2014 an administration Board was elected by the members to
        manage the water system
. Each year certain members terms end and a new
        member is elected to the board.


18.   Who determines were the water meter is placed?

        You can choose to have the meter placed anywhere along your property line,
                        within the water system easement. The meter will be placed about 40 feet                         from the center-line of the roadway and about 10 to 15 feet on your property.                        We will place the meter anywhere you specify within these constraints, so                        long as the meter can be easily read.

               You may also want to select where the meter is placed so that the connecting                     line you run from the meter to your house will avoid additional cost to you. That                 means things like running through septic fields, trees or long distances to your                    house, etc.