Sanders announces more than $153 million in Arkansas water projects
LITTLE ROCK — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced an additional $153,974,230 in financial assistance for water and wastewater projects for 52 entities — serving more than 814,142 Arkansans across the state. That includes several local and regional projects.
“Everywhere you look, Arkansas’ communities are expanding and demanding more from our infrastructure,” said Governor Sanders. “That’s why my administration is committed to providing funding for these latest projects, ensuring Arkansas’ water systems can keep up with demand so every Arkansan has clean water to drink and wastewater systems that work.”
“Reliable water and wastewater systems are essential for both the health of Arkansans and the economic growth of our communities,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Governor Sanders’ leadership and continued commitment to investing in water infrastructure are helping communities across the state make critical improvements that will benefit Arkansans for generations.”
“These projects represent a continued, coordinated effort to strengthen the foundation of Arkansas’s water infrastructure,” said Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division Chris Colclasure. “We appreciate Governor Sanders’ ongoing leadership and support to ensure Arkansans have access to safe and dependable water and wastewater systems.”
In 2023, Governor Sanders issued Executive Order 23-27, initiating a comprehensive review of and update to the Arkansas Water Plan, guiding the state’s management of water resources, water supply, water demand, water quality, and more. The first phase was completed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in August 2024. The second phase of the update is underway and will be completed in summer 2026.
Funding approved by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission includes:
Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund – $81,382,996
Blevins, Hempstead County, received a $948,300 loan with principal forgiveness and a $316,100 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This project serves a current customer base of 150. These funds will be used for a sewer plant rehabilitation project.
Hope, Hempstead County, received a $521,830 loan with principal forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This project serves a current customer base of 5,000. These funds will be used for a landfill remediation project.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund – $54,629,059
Bradley, Lafayette County, received a $144,719 loan with principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This project serves a current customer base of 497. These funds will be used for a water meter replacement.
Horatio, Sevier County, received a $426,811 loan with principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This project serves a current customer base of 1,025. These funds will be used for water meter replacements.
Keiser, Mississippi County, received a $652,685 loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. This project serves a current customer base of 340. These funds will be used for a Smart Meter Modernization Initiative project.
Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program – $1,120,000
Dierks, Howard County, received a $195,400 grant from the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program. This project serves a current customer base of 575. These funds will be used for a new generator.