A precautionary boil water notice is now in effect for parts of Perla, Arkansas, after a significant water-main break near Highway 270 caused a sudden loss of pressure across the local distribution system. The incident, affecting an estimated 450 customers, prompted Central Arkansas Water (CAW) to issue the advisory in line with state health regulations.
Crews isolated the damaged 8-inch main late Saturday morning and began repairs immediately. Pressure loss during an event like this does not confirm contamination, but it increases the risk that untreated water could enter the system — which is why Arkansas requires a boil notice until testing verifies the supply is safe.
What Residents Should Do Right Now
To reduce the risk of illness, residents in the affected area should:
- Bring all tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking or using it for cooking.
- Use boiled or bottled water for brushing teeth, washing produce, preparing infant formula and making ice.
- Discard any ice made after the water pressure dropped.
- Allow faucets to run briefly once service is restored to flush out stagnant water.
These steps remain important until CAW confirms the advisory has been lifted.
What NOT to Do During a Boil-Water Advisory
To stay safe while repairs and testing continue, residents should avoid:
- Drinking or cooking with unboiled tap water — even if it looks clear.
- Using filtered water from fridges or countertop filters as a substitute for boiling. (Most filters do not remove bacteria.)
- Preparing infant formula with unboiled water.
- Using ice made after the break occurred.
Following these precautions ensures protection while the system stabilises.
What Happened — And Why This Notice Was Required
The break occurred around Highway 270 and caused pressure to drop quickly along connected streets, including areas near Highway 67 and nearby side roads. When pressure falls, the barrier preventing outside water from entering pipes weakens. Even without confirmed contamination, state rules require a boil-water notice until:
- Repairs are completed
- Pressure is fully restored
- Laboratory tests return two consecutive clean samples
This testing process typically takes 24–48 hours, depending on lab turnaround.
Looking Ahead: Extra Peace of Mind After the Notice Ends
Once CAW lifts the advisory, some households choose to add an additional layer of protection at home. A certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse-osmosis system can reduce contaminants like PFAS, disinfection byproducts and dissolved solids — offering ongoing peace of mind in areas where infrastructure disruptions occur.
View Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis System
Sources & Notes
- Central Arkansas Water — Precautionary Boil Water Notice for Perla Customers
https://carkw.com/news/announcements/precautionary-boil-water-notice-for-perla-customers-12-25/ - KATV News — CAW repairing water-line break affecting Perla customers
https://katv.com/news/central-arkansas-water-work-to-repair-water-line-break-affecting-customers-in-perla-katv-news-share-inform-community-public-safety-solution - Arkansas Department of Health — Boil-Water Order Procedures
https://www.ark.org/health/eng/docs/BWO.doc - CDC — Drinking Water Advisory Guidelines
https://www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/about/drinking-water-advisories-an-overview.html
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