Jackson, Craighead, and Poinsett counties, Arkansas – Residents in parts of northeastern Arkansas are being advised to boil their tap water before using it for drinking or food preparation after the Cross County Rural Water System issued a boil order affecting customers across three counties.
According to the utility, the advisory applies to all customers served by the water system in Jackson, Craighead, and Poinsett counties, with one exception.
The community of Fisher is not included in the order and is therefore not subject to the same restrictions.
The utility has instructed affected customers to boil their water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, or brushing their teeth.
The precaution is intended to help protect residents from potential health risks while the boil order remains in effect.
Customers are being reminded that the advisory applies to water used for several common household activities, not just water consumed directly from the tap.
That includes water used to prepare meals, make beverages, and produce ice for drinks.
Residents should continue following the boiling instructions until the Cross County Rural Water System officially announces that the order has been lifted.
At this time, the utility has not provided an explanation for what caused the boil order.
It also has not announced an estimated timeline for when normal water use can resume.
As a result, affected households do not yet know how long they will need to take additional precautions.
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The order covers customers across a relatively large service area, including portions of three Arkansas counties. However, the utility has specifically identified Fisher as an exception.
Residents who receive their water from the Cross County Rural Water System should follow the advisory unless they are located in the excluded community.
The lack of information about the cause means it remains unclear whether the order was prompted by a water system problem, a potential contamination concern, or another issue.
No specific reason has been confirmed by the utility.
For now, the main instruction is straightforward. Customers covered by the order should bring their water to a boil for at least one minute before using it for the activities identified in the advisory.
The restriction will remain in place until the utility provides an official update confirming that the boil order has ended.
Affected residents should watch for further announcements from the Cross County Rural Water System regarding the status of the advisory and any changes to the instructions.
