Seven Communities Receive Water and Wastewater Project Funding

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission approved $4,626,938 for water and wastewater projects serving more than 6,054 people in seven Arkansas communities on January 20, 2021. The projects are as follows:

1. The East End Improvement District No. 1 in Saline County received a $2,650,000 loan from the Arkansas Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for the construction of a water storage tank, installation of 12” water lines, and rehabilitation of the existing water storage tanks. This project will benefit 2,297 customers.
2. The Fordyce Rural Water Association in Dallas County received a $313,643 loan from the Water Sewer & Solid Waste Fund. These project funds will be used to replace outdated residential meters with a new Automatic Meter Reading system. This project will benefit 755 customers.
3. The Highway 4 & 24 Water Association in Ouachita County received a $339,418 loan with principal forgiveness from the Arkansas Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for removal of a standpipe to reduce the risk of water stagnation, rehabilitate water tanks, and construct a new water line to replace a section that has been abandoned due to leakage. The customer base for this project is 865.
4. The Town of Menifee in Conway County received a $657,832 loan from the Arkansas Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund to rehabilitate and update the wastewater collection system. This project will benefit 128 wastewater customers.
5. The City of Dumas in Desha County received a $376,995 loan from the Arkansas Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to connect the community of Pickens to the Dumas water system.  This will allow the community of Pickens to purchase water from the City of Dumas and eliminate the need for Pickens to replace its aging water tank. This project will benefit approximately 40 water customers in Pickens.
6. The City of Caraway in Craighead County received $263,300 in additional funding with principal forgiveness on an existing loan. These funds will be used to drill a new well and repair a detention tank. The customer base for the project is 575.
7. The City of Mount Ida in Montgomery County received a grant for $25,750 in additional funding. These funds will be used for the replacement of existing outdated meters with an automated meter reading system. This project will benefit approximately 1,394 customers.

More information about the Natural Resource Division’s water and wastewater programs can be found at agriculture.arkansas.gov/natural-resources/divisions/water-development/ or by contacting Debby Dickson at debra.dickson@arkansas.gov or 501-682-0548 or Debra Banks at debra.banks@arkansas.gov or 501 682-0547.

Learn more about the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at agriculture.arkansas.gov/.