Beaver Water District sets record in water sales

Lowell-based Beaver Water District sold more water during its most recent fiscal year than any year in its nearly 60-year history, the district said. The fiscal year ended Sept. 30.

BWD Chief Operating Officer Larry Lloyd said water sales for the year totaled 17.6 billion gallons, or 48 million gallons per day. Monthly water sales set records for the six months of October through March. These are the months that tend not to be impacted by weather with respect to water usage. BWD did not have record water sales for the months of April through September, when weather is historically a factor.

“For the fiscal year 2016 to see total record water sales while experiencing a ‘normal’ summer is indicative of the residential and commercial growth of the region,” Lloyd said.

BWD supplies drinking water to more than 300,000 people and industries in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and surrounding areas in Northwest Arkansas.

BWD also announced the election of Cathy Foraker and the re-election of Bill Watkins to its board of directors. Their terms will end in 2022.

Foraker first began her service to the board in 2011, when she was appointed to fill an unexpired term. Watkins began his first term on Jan. 1, 2004.

BWD is the oldest regional water district in the state, and is governed by six elected members of the board — three from Washington County and three from Benton County.

Other board members are Woody Bassett, Mary Gardner, David Short and Chris Weiser.