More than $35 million approved for water projects statewide

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 1,079 views 

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Arkansas Natural Resources Commission has approved $35.41 million for nine water and wastewater projects and four technical assistance programs serving more than 211,372 Arkansans.

The Benton County Water Authority received a $4.5 million loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to replace a water main. Central Arkansas Water in Pulaski County, received a $4 million loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for upgrades to the Jack H. Wilson Water Treatment Plant.

Melbourne received a $139,050 loan from the Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Fund for water meter installation. Mountainburg received a $50,000 grant from the Water Development Fund for a Cultural Resources Survey for the proposed North Central Crawford County Water System. The Rock-Moore Public Water Authority received a $4.26 million loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for a new water tank and water system improvements.

East End Improvement District Number One received a $500,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund in additional funding for construction of a water storage tank and rehabilitation of existing water storage tanks. The McLean Bottoms Levee and Drainage District Number Three received a $360,500 loan from the Water Development Fund in additional funding for levee repairs.

The Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority received a $20 million loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in additional funding for wastewater treatment plant improvements. The Searcy Board of Public Utilities, White County, received a $950,000 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund in additional funding for wastewater system rehabilitation.

The Arkansas Environmental Training Academy received a $150,000 grant from the Water Development Fund to provide training for members of Retail Water Provider boards pursuant to Act 605 of 2021. The Arkansas Rural Water Association received a $125,000 grant from the Water Development Fund. This grant is for the Association’s continued funding assistance for a circuit rider to provide onsite assistance to water systems with operation, maintenance, management, and financial problems.

The Arkansas Rural Water Association received $65,000 from the Water Development Fund to provide continued training and technical assistance to water and wastewater systems throughout the state. H2Ozarks received a $278,400 grant from the Water Development Fund to administer the Septic Tank Remediation Pilot Program within the Buffalo River Watershed in Newton, Searcy, Marion, Baxter, Boone, Madison, Pope, Stone, and Van Buren Counties.