EPA Investing $13.5 Million In Arkansas Drinking Water
by December 15, 2014 6:27 pm 88 views
Arkansas will receive $13.5 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help with the state’s water infrastructure and inspection.
The money will be used by two state agencies and local communities to install, upgrade and replace water infrastructure across the state.
Mark Bennett, division chief for water development at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC), said a portion of the money will be used by the Arkansas Department of Health to run the public water supply supervision program and other programs to assist water systems in the state comply with technical requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The ANRC will match 20% of the EPA grant and use a major segment of the funding to make below market loans to community water systems. Bennett said the following projects are intended to receive the funding from the EPA grant, but projects can change depending on their state of progress.
- Clinton – Water Treatment Plant Improvements (add new clarifier)
- Lockesburg – Replacement of Water Distribution System
- Chidester – New Tank and Pump Replacement
- Strong – Replacement of Water Distribution System
- Sardis Water Authority – New Water Storage Tank and major transmission line
The Safe Drinking Water Act is marking its 40th anniversary this year, according to the EPA.