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Briarcliff Today
By the People, for the People
Arkansas Orders Briarcliff to Fix Water Violations as City's Claims Don't Add Up
State cites 16 violations, including lack of licensed operator and failure to submit safety tests
Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:00am
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The Arkansas Department of Health has issued a formal enforcement action against Briarcliff Waterworks for operating without a licensed water operator and failing to submit required safety testing for months. The administrative order cites 16 violations spanning September through November 2025, with the city failing to submit bacteriological water samples, operational records, and have a licensed and certified operator on staff as required.
Why it matters
The water system problems add a public health dimension to Briarcliff's ongoing governance crisis, with the city's ground water supply going at least three months without the required bacteriological testing and the system operating without anyone who met the legal qualifications to run it. The enforcement action raises questions about the city's transparency and accountability to residents.
The details
The Arkansas Department of Health order, signed March 23 by ADH Engineering Section Director Lance Jones, requires Briarcliff Waterworks to submit a written compliance plan within 30 days. Each violation carries a potential civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day, putting the city's total daily exposure at $16,000. The order was addressed to James Noe at Briarcliff Waterworks and copied to EPA Region VI and Mayor Robert Markham.
- The administrative order was signed on March 23, 2026.
- The violations cited in the order spanned from September through November 2025.
- Briarcliff posted a notice to its Facebook page on April 1, 2026, acknowledging it was operating without a fully licensed operator.
The players
Lance Jones
ADH Engineering Section Director who signed the enforcement order against Briarcliff Waterworks.
James Noe
The person named in the ADH enforcement order as the responsible party for the Briarcliff water system.
Robert Markham
The mayor of Briarcliff, who was copied on the ADH enforcement order.
Clint Rhine
A Briarcliff resident who holds a valid Grade II Distribution License, but denies being the water operator for the city.
Renee Schmidt-Klika
The Briarcliff City Recorder/Treasurer who has been at the center of discrepancies between the city's public statements and official records.
What they’re saying
“No. I am not the water operater. James is.”
— Clint Rhine
“Leave me out of your conflict. I dont work there. Dont know why they would tell you that.”
— Clint Rhine
What’s next
The city's 30-day window to submit a compliance plan is closing. The order also requires monthly documentation of efforts to obtain a qualified operator for the next 12 consecutive months. The enforcement action remains in effect until ADH issues a notice of termination confirming compliance with every requirement.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing governance issues in Briarcliff, where there appears to be a disconnect between the city's public statements and the official records, raising concerns about transparency and accountability to residents. The water system violations now pose a public health risk, adding to the community's challenges.
