Most streets kept clear, No water in South Alexander

The City of Alexander Street Department has been working 16-hour shifts trying to remove as much snow and ice as possible. In the mean time, Saline County Water and Sewer District employees have been operating the water system pumps manually trying to keep the water tanks full. That’s according to Ward-2 Council Member Juanita Wilson.

Wilson says she’s been trying to keep residents informed of these weather-related issues through the app “Nextdoor” and The Alexandrian’s Facebook page. Wilson says ice has kept the snow plows off the eastern end of East Azalea, due to ice on the steep incline. Otherwise, most streets have had snow removed and sand spread down. The street department even cleared Highway 111 to the Interstate, even though it is the responsibility of the highway department.

With Meadow’s Edge still under development the streets have yet to be taken over by the city. Gene Derline, Vice President of the Community Advisory Committee in Meadows Edge, has been seen out with his tractor clearing Meadow’s Edge Drive near the intersection of Highway 111. St. Joseph’s Glen has a property owners association, which is responsible for keeping the streets maintained.

Wilson pointed out that up until a few short years ago the city street department didn’t have the equipment needed to plow snow and spread sand. Between Mayor Paul Mitchell and Street and Parks Superintendent David Durham, the city has been adding the equipment needed to maintain the streets without having to higher an independent contractor.

Water, on the other hand, is a different issue. Sections of South Alexander have been without water since Tuesday (February 16) afternoon. According to Wilson, the flow of water in the valley area has been sporadic. In the higher areas, such as the top of Mountain Drive, there’s been no water since Tuesday afternoon.

Based on her conversations with water district staff, the problem involves the water sensors inside the water tanks. The sensors are coated with ice, which causes them to keep the pumps off because it appears the water level is still high. She says they have been manually turning the pumps on and off to fill the main tank on Brookwood Road.

The City of Alexander does not own or operate the water and sewer systems. North Alexander, Ward-1, receives water from Central Arkansas Water and the sewer system is operated by The City of Little Rock. Except for St. Joseph’s Glen, South Alexander receives its water and sewer service from the Saline County Water and Sewer District.

St. Joseph’s Glen is connected to Central Arkansas Water, but is billed by the Saline County Water and Sewer District. The subdivision has its own sewage treatment plant, but is negotiating to connect to The City of Little Rock system.