Arkansas cities to reduce phosphorous in wastewater

(Tahlequah-AP) -- Four northwest Arkansas cities are reducing the phosphorous in their wastewater that runs into Oklahoma's scenic rivers. <br><br>Officials from Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and

Tuesday, August 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tahlequah-AP) -- Four northwest Arkansas cities are reducing the phosphorous in their wastewater that runs into Oklahoma's scenic rivers.

Officials from Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Siloam Springs say they'll reduce the phosphorous in their wastewaster.

The Oklahoma Water Resource Board's Derek Smithee says the reductions are part of Arkansas' efforts to meet Oklahoma's new water quality standards.

Smithee, who is chief of the board's water quality division, says the reductions will dramatically improve Oklahoma's six scenic rivers. But he says they won't bring Arkansas into compliance with the new standards.

Oklahoma says phosphorous from Arkansas chicken farms and sewage is contaminating the rivers. The state water board has set a limit of point-zero-three-seven parts per (m) million of phosphorous.

Arkansas says the limits are too low.