Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders unveiled a sweeping investment today, announcing more than $153 million in financial assistance for water and wastewater projects that will impact 52 entities across the state, reaching over 814,142 Arkansans. The announcement underscores the administration’s ongoing focus on strengthening the state’s infrastructure, ensuring that communities large and small can continue to rely on clean, safe water and functional wastewater systems.
“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.”
The funding represents a coordinated effort between multiple state agencies and local entities, leveraging state and federal resources to modernize water infrastructure and address long-standing challenges in both urban and rural communities. Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward emphasized the importance of reliable water systems, noting that they are essential for both public health and economic development.
“Reliable water and wastewater systems are essential for both the health of Arkansans and the economic growth of our communities,” said 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.”
Chris Colclasure, Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the comprehensive scope of the projects. “These projects represent a continued, coordinated effort to strengthen the foundation of Arkansas’s water infrastructure,” Colclasure said. “We appreciate Governor Sanders’ ongoing leadership and support to ensure Arkansans have access to safe and dependable water and wastewater systems.”
Since taking office, Governor Sanders has prioritized water infrastructure across all 75 counties, with more than $2.7 billion invested in state and federal funds since 2023. Executive Order 23-27, issued in 2023, initiated a comprehensive review of the Arkansas Water Plan, providing guidance for water resource management, supply and demand planning, and water quality improvements. The first phase, completed in August 2024 in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, laid the groundwork for updated strategies and priorities, while the second phase, scheduled for completion in summer 2026, will focus on implementing actionable improvements statewide.
The latest funding, approved by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, is divided into multiple programs, each targeting specific infrastructure needs. The Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund accounts for $81,382,996, providing loans and principal forgiveness to communities to rehabilitate and modernize wastewater systems.
For instance, Blevins in Hempstead County received $948,300 in principal forgiveness and an additional $316,100 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for sewer plant rehabilitation, benefiting a customer base of 150. Clarksville in Johnson County received a combination of $5,451,664.35 in principal forgiveness and $30,892,764.65 in loans to improve its pollution control facilities for 7,663 residents. Clinton in Van Buren County received $992,154.65 in principal forgiveness and $1,659,255.35 in loans to rehabilitate sewage pump stations serving 3,025 residents.
Other communities benefited as well. The Dawn Hill Country Club & Cynthiana Townhouses Property Owners Association in Benton County received $2,440,386 in principal forgiveness and an additional $813,462 loan for sanitary sewer upgrades for 225 residents. Dyess and Etowah in Mississippi County received combined funding exceeding $3.5 million for wastewater collection system improvements and wastewater system upgrades, serving hundreds of residents in these communities.
Several larger projects also received funding. Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority secured $4,096,463.50 to address six major infrastructure upgrades across multiple facilities, including sludge transfer pump station improvements, dewatering projects, and biosolids optimization. Mayflower, Faulkner County, received $11,544,000 for a regionalization project in collaboration with Conway Corporation, improving water and wastewater services for 2,354 residents. Mountain Pine in Garland County received over $7 million in combined funding for sewer system rehabilitation, benefiting 607 residents.
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund received $54,629,059 in funding to ensure communities have access to clean drinking water. Bentonville in Benton County secured $887,911 in principal forgiveness and $8,733,449 in loans for a central supply water transmission loop, serving nearly 95,000 residents. Bradley in Lafayette County received $144,719 for water meter replacement, and Branch in Franklin County received $192,225 for a similar project.
Cross County Rural Water System Public Facilities Board received $5,298,037 to complete several critical upgrades, including manganese removal, an automatic transfer switch, water meter replacements, and tank improvements. Cushman, Independence County, received $435,800 for water meter and system improvements, while Elaine in Phillips County received $4,088,990 for comprehensive water system upgrades. Freedom Public Water Authority, Garfield, Hardy, Highway 4 and 24 Water Association, Horatio, Keiser, Leola, Lincoln, Little River, Magnolia, Mountain Top, Mulberry, Pangburn, Quitman, Sparkman, Star City, Trumann, Tumbling Shoals Water System Public Water Authority, Vanndale-Birdeye Water Association, and Washington Water Authority all received loans from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, with amounts ranging from $165,594 to $7,745,730 for projects including meter replacements, filtration improvements, and critical waterline upgrades.
Recognizing the needs of underserved and disadvantaged communities, the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program contributed $1,120,000 in grant funding. Bonanza, Bradley County, received $140,000 for meter upgrades, while Dierks in Howard County received $195,400 for a new generator. Hickory Ridge, Cross County, received $242,000 for water filter improvements, Ozan Creek Rural Water Authority, Sebastian County, received $97,711 for a creek crossing line repair, Tuckerman in Jackson County received $294,889 for smart meter replacement, and Warren in Franklin County received $150,000 for a regionalization project.
State programs accounted for $16,842,175 in additional funding, with Beebe, White County, receiving nearly $3.3 million in combined loans for manhole rehabilitation and detention basin improvements. Gravette in Benton County received $309,000 for water meter upgrades, while H2Ozarks in Washington County received $64,700 to cover administrative costs for its Septic Tank Remediation Program. Mansfield, Sebastian County, secured $100,000 for emergency repairs at its wastewater treatment plant, and Norman, Sebastian County, received $12,360 for repairs at Huddleston Creek. Saline County Wastewater and Sanitary Sewer Public Facilities Board received $3,807,341 for wastewater treatment plant improvements, while Saline Regional Public Water Authority received $7,745,730 to develop a wholesale water system drawing from the Ouachita River. Washington Water Authority received $1,554,270 for the Cove Creek waterline project.
Governor Sanders’ investment highlights the administration’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that water and wastewater infrastructure keeps pace with Arkansas’ growing population and economic development needs. Across cities, towns, and rural communities, these projects will enhance service reliability, public health, and environmental sustainability. By prioritizing critical infrastructure, the state aims to position Arkansas for long-term growth while protecting the health and well-being of its residents.
“These projects will not only improve the quality of life for residents today but also lay the foundation for future growth and prosperity,” Sanders said. “From small towns to larger cities, ensuring our water systems are capable, resilient, and sustainable is a priority my administration will continue to pursue. Every Arkansan deserves access to safe, clean water and functional wastewater systems, and we are committed to making that a reality.”
Secretary Ward emphasized that the long-term benefits of these investments extend beyond immediate infrastructure improvements. “Water and wastewater systems are the backbone of healthy, thriving communities,” Ward said. “By investing now, we are not just fixing pipes and pumps — we are supporting economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and public health for decades to come.”
Colclasure noted that these coordinated investments are part of a broader strategy to ensure that Arkansas’ water infrastructure remains capable of meeting demand in the face of population growth, climate considerations, and evolving regulatory requirements. “This is a comprehensive effort, combining planning, funding, and execution to strengthen every corner of the state,” Colclasure said. “Arkansas’ communities deserve water and wastewater systems that are safe, reliable, and future-ready.”
The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, along with targeted grants for underserved communities and state program funding, reflect a multi-layered approach to water management. They ensure that both small towns and larger cities can undertake essential projects, from sewer plant rehabilitations to meter replacements, filtration improvements, and emergency repairs. By distributing funding across a broad spectrum of communities, the state ensures that no Arkansan is left behind.
As projects move forward, residents across Arkansas will begin to see tangible improvements in their water and wastewater systems, contributing to enhanced public health, environmental protection, and economic stability. These investments demonstrate a proactive, strategic commitment to infrastructure that supports current residents while preparing for future growth.
“Every loan, grant, and investment is a building block toward a stronger, healthier Arkansas,” Governor Sanders said. “We are ensuring that the essential services every community relies on continue to operate effectively, and that our water infrastructure can meet the needs of future generations.”
With more than 814,000 Arkansans set to benefit from these projects, the announcement marks one of the most significant single-year investments in water and wastewater infrastructure in recent Arkansas history. From small communities like Bonanza and Dyess to larger municipalities such as Little Rock and Bentonville, the funding will impact residents, businesses, and institutions, strengthening both daily life and long-term sustainability.
As the second phase of the Arkansas Water Plan update progresses toward its 2026 completion, these projects exemplify the state’s commitment to combining strategic planning with practical investment. The comprehensive approach ensures that water infrastructure funding aligns with projected population growth, evolving water demands, and the overarching goal of providing clean, reliable water and effective wastewater treatment statewide.
By prioritizing infrastructure improvements, supporting underserved communities, and leveraging both state and federal resources, the Sanders administration is creating a blueprint for long-term water system resilience. From rehabilitating aging sewer plants to modernizing meters, upgrading pipelines, and implementing innovative regionalization projects, Arkansas is taking concrete steps to secure safe and sustainable water services for every resident.
Governor Sanders’ announcement today represents more than $153 million in immediate improvements; it reflects a broader commitment to strategic planning, community engagement, and long-term stewardship of the state’s water resources. These efforts position Arkansas to meet current challenges and prepare for future growth, ensuring that communities large and small have the infrastructure they need to thrive.
With funding allocated across 52 entities, reaching every corner of the state, Arkansas is taking decisive action to strengthen its water and wastewater systems. These projects not only address immediate infrastructure needs but also build the foundation for economic development, public health protection, and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the state’s water systems are resilient, reliable, and capable of meeting the needs of present and future generations.
