LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Wednesday, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ARNC) approved an additional $83,443,495 in financial assistance for nine water and wastewater projects.
The projects serve more than 271,786 Arkansans.
"My administration is working hard to improve Arkansas's water systems, and the additional $80 million in funding... will help communities around the state," Sanders said. "It is critical Arkansans have access to safe drinking water."
The governor's office said these projects will receive funding:
- 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.
Additionally, 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, Sanders announced that the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the first phase of the Arkansas Water Plan.
"While we often take it for granted, adequate water and wastewater infrastructure is critical to the quality of life of every Arksansan and the sustainability of communities and industries throughout the state," Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said.
