Arkansas Department of Health Save Drinking Water Fee

ADH increases fee 10 cents

A state-mandated safe drinking water service fee will increase from 30 to 40 cents per water meter per month on Aug. 1, 2019.

State law requires the City of Hot Springs to collect “State of Arkansas Safe Drinking Water Fees” assessed from each water meter paid monthly by customers, and the City is billed annually by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) for the total amount of these funds. ADH uses the collections for analytical sampling and testing to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and other drinking water expenses.

Act 788 was passed earlier this year providing the 10 cent increase per water meter per month, or $1.20 a year. This is the first such increase since 2007.

Graphic of notice for ADH fee increase

Additional Information Regarding the ADH Safe Drinking Water Fee

  • [PDF] Arkansas Drinking Water Update article, "Public Water System Service Fees to Increase
  • The Public Water Service Fee is charged on every water meter
  • The fee began in 1987, and has had four increases since (including this change); the last increase was in 2007
  • The new rate that begins Aug. 1, 2019, will appear on bills received in September
  • The fee is a pass through charge, meaning the City keeps no portion (by state law)
  • The fee is used to fund sampling and testing for the Safe Drinking Water Act
  • ADH performs all testing for drinking water, including for lead and copper, bacteriological testing, EPS studies, and new contaminants