Governor Sanders Announces $66.5 Million in Arkansas Water Funding

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced an additional $66.5 million in financial assistance for water and wastewater projects for eight entities. The projects serve more than 60,594 Arkansans in eight counties. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved this funding on January 15, 2025.

“Today’s announcement continues my administration’s commitment to making sure every Arkansas community has access to safe drinking water,” said Governor Sanders. “Thank you to the agency staff and local officials who are working in close partnership to develop sustainable solutions to water infrastructure in all four corners of our state.” 

“Reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to both the quality of life for every Arkansan and the strength of our communities,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Governor Sanders’ continued leadership on water issues ensures that Arkansas is well-positioned for future success.”

Under Governor Sanders’ leadership, the State of Arkansas has administered more than $2.8 billion for water development projects in all 75 counties using state and federal funds.

The recipients are listed below:

• Bentonville in Benton County is receiving a $55,000,000 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 54,164. These funds will be used for water resource recovery facility improvements.

•  Eureka Springs in Carroll County is receiving two loans: a $6,180,000 loan from the Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Fund and a $100,000 emergency loan from the Water Development Fund. The projects serve a current customer base of 1,945. These funds will be used for wastewater treatment plant improvements. 

• Gravel Ridge Sewer Improvement District 213 in Pulaski County is receiving a $2,512,632 loan from the General Obligation Bond Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 1,489. These funds will be used for a sewer collection rehabilitation.  

• Horsebend Property Owners Association in Washington County is receiving a $154,500 loan from the Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 51. These funds will be used for a wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation. 

• Mount Ida in Montogomery County is receiving a $586,226 loan from the General Obligation Bond Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 600. These funds will be used for a sewer plant rehabilitation.

• North Crossett Utilities in Ashley County is receiving two loans: a $848,916 loan from the General Obligation Bond Fund and a $396,288 loan from the Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Fund. The projects serve a current customer base of 1,251. These funds will be used for meter upgrades and a sewer lift station. 

• Ola in Yell County is receiving a $343,477 loan from the Water Development Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 571. These funds will be used for a water main replacement and pump station upgrade. 

• Yellville in Marion County is receiving a $384,190 loan from the Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 523. These funds will be used for wastewater collection and treatment improvements.

Arkansas Governor Sanders, ANRC Announce an Additional $80 Million for Arkansas Water Project

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Wednesday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced an additional $83,443,495 in financial assistance for nine water and wastewater projects. The projects serve more than 271,786 Arkansans. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved this funding on September 18, 2024.

“My administration is working hard to improve Arkansas’ water systems, and the additional $80 million in funding we’re announcing today will help communities around the state,” said Governor Sanders. “It is critical Arkansans have access to safe drinking water.”

“While we often take it for granted, adequate water and wastewater infrastructure is critical to the quality of life of every Arkansan and the sustainability of communities and industries throughout the state. Since day one of her administration, water has been a top priority for Governor Sanders and we are thankful for her continued leadership that will ensure that our state maintains our attractive high quality of life and is well positioned in the future,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

The projects receiving funding are below:

• Arkansas Environmental Training Academy in Camden is receiving a $232,840 grant from the Clean Water Revolving Fund for wastewater operator training.

• Central Arkansas Water in Pulaski County is receiving an $80,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 156,000. This is an increase in funding to the existing Jack H. Wilson Treatment Plant improvement project.  

• Magazine in Logan County is receiving a $2,046,080 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 391. This is an increase in funding for the existing wastewater collection and treatment rehabilitation project.

• Mountain Top Suburban Improvement District No. 66 in Garland County is receiving a $570,000 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 67. This is an increase in funding for the existing wastewater treatment plant project.

• Newton County on behalf of Compton Water Association is receiving an $83,070 loan from the Water Development Fund to rehabilitate their 100,000-gallon standpipe. The project serves a current customer base of 348.

• Newton County on behalf of Nail-Swain Water Association is receiving two $74,160 loans totaling $148,320 from the Water Development Funds to rehabilitate two water tanks. The project serves a current customer base of 379. 

• Tri-County Regional Water Distribution District in Pope County is receiving a $363,185 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 8,101. This is an increase in funding for the existing project for wastewater collection and treatment rehabilitation.

Two entities received approval for a scope modification to their existing projects without any changes to the funding:

• Helena-West Helena, Phillips County, previously received an $11,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in February 2024. The project serves a current customer base of 5,500. 

• Lonoke White Public Water Authority in Cleburne County previously received a $12,970,441 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in January of 2023. The project serves a current customer base of 101,000. 

In August, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the first phase of the Arkansas Water Plan has been completed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Along with state partners, Governor Sanders has provided over $2.5 billion for water development projects in all 75 counties using state and federal funds.

Over $217 million allocated for Arkansas water and wastewater projects

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission on Wednesday (Sept. 20) approved $217,767,302 in financial assistance for 16 water and wastewater projects serving more than 622,472 Arkansans.

Three of the projects include:

• The City of Arkadelphia, Clark County, received a $4,250,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to complete all work required to bring the city into compliance with federal requirements. The current customer base for this project is 10,380.

• The City of Ashdown, Little River County, received a $12,510,650 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for water distribution improvements. The current customer base for this project is 4,261.

• The City of Texarkana, Miller County, received three loans totaling $8,324,000 from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for three separate projects. The city received a $3,551,000 loan to replace failing mainline pipe, a $1,533,000 loan to replace water mains along East Street, and a $3,240,000 loan to construct and install an elevated storage tank. The current customer base for these projects is 29,387.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/09/over-217-million-allocated-for-arkansas-water-and-wastewater-projects/