Hot Springs to move forward on water‑system valves and engineering contracts

Hot Springs City officials reviewed two related items to protect the water distribution system when the new water plant begins operating.

Assistant City Engineer Todd Piller told the board staff recommends procuring multiple pressure‑reducing and pressure‑sustaining valves to protect existing lines near Lake Hamilton, noting hydraulic reviews show pressures could rise “from 81 PSI currently to 219” in some locations after flow reversals. The equipment purchase from Instrument and Supply Inc. was presented as a lump sum of $173,950, including freight and tax.

Piller also described a separate contract request for Hansen Engineering LLC to provide engineering design, surveying, Arkansas Department of Health approvals, bid documents, construction management and testing for 2026 and 2027 waterline improvements. Piller said the 2026 work will target four streets (Highland Park, Huntley, Andover and Walkway Drive) with an estimated construction cost of $1,060,230; the Hansen contract amount presented was $188,000 and will be paid from the 2026 CIP water distribution budget.

Board members asked whether lines would be upsized and whether new fire hydrants would be added; Piller said the replacements will match the master plan and include upsizing and hydrants where appropriate. A staff member said the valve deliveries were expedited and expected in about three weeks; installation will be handled partly by city crews and partly by an outside contractor for the largest valve.

Both items were presented for formal consideration at the Feb. 3 board meeting; no final action was taken during the agenda‑review session.