Residents of Bee Branch voice their dissatisfaction with persistent water problems

Bee Branch, Arkansas – Residents of Bee Branch are expressing their frustration after being without water since Saturday, uncertain of when service will be restored.

Residents report that the ongoing water problems in Bee Branch frequently hinder their ability to cook, do laundry, maintain hygiene, and manage other essential daily activities.

“In just under two months, we’ve experienced five shutdowns, leaving us without water for days to a week, and we receive little to no updates,” expressed Chelsey Roberts, a resident of Bee Branch.

The problem has been impacting more than just families, even causing children to miss school.

“Our children have missed school and valuable school hours.” “You know, they were let out of school early and didn’t attend because of the water issues,” said resident Stephanie Cooper.

A mother voiced her frustration after relocating her family to a hotel due to her daughter’s medical condition, which necessitated access to clean water.

It’s truly disheartening. The economy presents significant challenges. “We put in the effort to earn our money, and when we settle a bill—be it for cable, internet, water, or electricity—we rightfully anticipate access to those services that we are paying for,” Roberts stated.

Residents report rising bills despite frequent water outages or boil orders, forcing them to buy water out of pocket or haul buckets from local fire station tanks.

However, this poses a challenge for a significant portion of the community.

“My husband and I are in our 70s, and carrying five-gallon buckets of water daily for our household needs is simply not feasible,” shared resident Bessie Cockrell. “I seek clarity, and I demand answers. I will persist and remain vocal until I uncover the truth.”

The Clinton Water Department has reported that a leak is responsible for the outage, assuring residents that water will be fully restored shortly, accompanied by a three-day boil order.

Residents continue to express concerns about the possibility of another water shutoff.