Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a new round of funding aimed at strengthening water and wastewater systems across Arkansas, approving $478,670 in financial assistance for four separate entities. State officials said three of the projects are expected to serve more than 8,900 Arkansans, while the fourth investment is designed to support customers statewide through training and certification work.
The Governor framed the announcement as part of a broader push to keep Arkansas infrastructure aligned with rapid growth and rising demand for dependable public services.
“Arkansas is growing at a record pace, and our infrastructure must grow with it,” said Governor Sanders. “That’s why my administration is investing in water projects across the state, building on the more than $2.7 billion we’ve already committed to strengthen water and wastewater systems, support continued economic growth, and ensure every Arkansan has access to safe, reliable water service.”
State leaders emphasized that water and wastewater improvements are not simply technical upgrades, but foundational public health protections that also influence business recruitment, housing development, and long-term community stability.
“Access to dependable water and wastewater systems is foundational to public health and economic growth in Arkansas,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Through Governor Sanders’ continued focus on strengthening water infrastructure, our communities are better positioned to sustain critical services, support growth, and meet the long-term needs of the people they serve.”
Chris Colclasure, Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division, also stressed that reliability depends on planning ahead rather than reacting when systems fail.
“Long-term water reliability starts with strategic investment and responsible stewardship,” said Chris Colclasure, Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division. “By prioritizing improvements to aging infrastructure and supporting proactive planning, we are helping communities build resilient systems that will provide safe, consistent service for generations to come.”
Where the Funding Is Going and What It Will Fix
The funding package approved includes a mix of grants and loans, targeted at training, sewer repairs, sewer system capacity improvements, and storage infrastructure rehabilitation.
One portion of the funding is aimed at strengthening the skills pipeline for the people who keep Arkansas water systems operating every day. The Arkansas Rural Water Association received a $120,000 grant from the Water Development Fund. Officials said this money will support the Water Operator Certification and Renewal Training Program, which serves customers statewide. The state described the program as a practical investment that helps ensure water operators are trained to maintain safe and compliant systems, particularly as regulations and technical requirements evolve.
A larger share of the assistance is headed to Bryant in Saline County, where officials approved a $286,640 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 8,496, making it the largest population impact among the individual local projects listed. The funds will be used for the Lea Circle Parallel Gravity Sewer Project, an effort that signals both maintenance and capacity planning. State leaders indicated the goal is to protect service reliability and keep the wastewater system functioning effectively as the area continues to grow.
Smaller communities also received targeted support designed to address specific needs that can create major problems if left unresolved. Felsenthal in Union County received a $51,224 loan from the Water Development Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 56, and the funds will go toward sewer collection repairs. Officials noted that even modest repairs in a small customer system can have an outsize impact by reducing breakdown risks, improving service stability, and limiting the likelihood of more expensive emergency fixes later.
In Newton County, the Nail-Swain Water Association received a $20,806 loan from the Water Development Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 379, and the money will be used for water tank rehabilitation. Water storage tanks are a critical piece of reliable service, supporting pressure stability and helping systems maintain supply during high-demand periods or unexpected disruptions. State officials presented the tank work as part of a wider push to repair and modernize aging infrastructure before it becomes a crisis.
Bigger Bond Moves Signal Long-Term Planning
Along with approving project-level funding, state leaders also highlighted a larger financing strategy meant to keep water investment moving beyond short-term grants and loans. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $48.5 million in general obligation bonds. Officials said these bonds will support water, waste disposal, and pollution-abatement projects listed in the Commission’s approved Fiscal Years 2026–2027 Plan of Work under Act 631 of 2007. The bond authorization follows a February 25 proclamation from Governor Sanders granting authority for the issuance of the bonds.
State officials also acknowledged a looming timeline issue: the current bond authority is expected to be fully used by summer 2027. In response, the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 578 of 2025, which will place a measure on the November 2026 general election ballot asking voters whether to authorize an additional $500 million in general obligation bond authority.
The Governor’s office said this new funding announcement fits into a much larger statewide approach. Since taking office, Governor Sanders has prioritized water infrastructure statewide, with nearly $2.8 billion in state and federal funds approved for water projects across all 75 counties. Officials also pointed to the ongoing update of the Arkansas Water Plan, which was launched through Executive Order 23-27 in 2023. The first phase of the review and update was completed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in August 2024, and the second phase is underway with completion expected in summer 2026.
Together, the funding approvals, bond planning, and statewide water plan updates reflect a strategy that state leaders say is focused on one central goal: keeping Arkansas communities supplied with safe, reliable water and wastewater services as the state grows and modern needs expand.
