The state Correction Department says a pump failure Monday interrupted water service to the Tucker and Maximum Security prison units.
From the release:
Yesterday morning, a water pump servicing the Tucker and Maximum Security Units experienced a mechanical failure. As a result, the water level in the storage tank dropped to a level necessitating that, later in the evening, service be suspended to both units. Portable tanks were brought in to provide water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Water service is being temporarily restored at regular intervals to allow for the flushing of toilets.
The department has retained the services of a water management company to repair the pump. Once repairs are completed, the system will be required to pass two (2) consecutive bacteriological tests, on two consecutive days, pursuant to Arkansas Department of Health rules, before water from the system can be consumed.
The units can house 1,500 or so inmates. I’ve asked how long the intervals are between flushes.