Arkansas Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Health
Center for Local Public Health - Environmental Health Branch - Engineering Section

After correcting the deficiency which caused the Boil Water Order, the water utility submits samples to the Department of Health or other certified laboratory for bacteriological analysis to verify that the water is safe for drinking.  The tests  are designed to identify the presence of coliform bacteria.  Coliform bacteria, while not generally harmful, should not be present in drinking water that is safe, and are frequently present is drinking water that is contaminated.  Coliform organisms are thus considered indicators of possible contamination of drinking water. 

Sample transportation from your water system to our laboratory may take up to 24 hours from the time the samples are collected.  The actual test takes approximately 24 hours. The Department requires that safe samples be obtained on two consecutive days. Since our laboratories do not operate on weekends, the complete process of determining that the water is safe may take as long as seven days (after the deficiency).