Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has unveiled $153,974,230 in financial aid for 52 projects that will benefit over 814,000 Arkansans. The funding was approved by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and marks another major investment under the governor’s commitment to fortify essential infrastructure.
“Everywhere you look, Arkansas’ communities are expanding and demanding more from our infrastructure,” Governor Sanders stated. “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.”
Vital Funding Targets Small Towns and Growing Regions Alike
The newly approved assistance spans several programs, including the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program, and state-funded initiatives like the Water Development Fund and General Obligation Bond Fund.
More than $81 million is being funneled through the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund alone. For example, Clarksville in Johnson County will receive over $36 million to improve its pollution control facility, a project that serves nearly 7,700 people. In another high-impact move, Mayflower will get $11.5 million for a regionalization initiative with Conway Corporation.
From wastewater plant upgrades in Hardy and Highland to sewer system rehabilitations in Mountain Pine and Dyess, communities of varying sizes are receiving attention. Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority was granted over $4 million for six different infrastructure projects, serving more than 200,000 residents.
“These projects represent a continued, coordinated effort to strengthen the foundation of Arkansas’s water infrastructure,” said Chris Colclasure, Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division. “We appreciate Governor Sanders’ ongoing leadership and support to ensure Arkansans have access to safe and dependable water and wastewater systems.”
Drinking Water Projects Help Modernize Rural Systems
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund accounts for $54.6 million of the total allocation. These funds will support efforts such as Bentonville’s $9.6 million supply water transmission loop, water system improvements in Elaine, and metering upgrades in multiple rural communities like Garfield, Hardy, and Lincoln.
Bradley and Branch received over $300,000 combined to replace outdated meters, while larger cities like Trumann and Quitman will benefit from multi-million-dollar improvements targeting manganese removal and full water system upgrades.
“Reliable water and wastewater systems are essential for both the health of Arkansans and the economic growth of our communities,” Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward emphasized.
Disadvantaged Communities Receive Dedicated Support
The Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program is distributing $1.1 million in support. Grants include $294,889 to Tuckerman for a smart meter replacement project and $242,000 to Hickory Ridge for filter upgrades. Even small communities like Bonanza and Ozan Creek Rural Water Authority are getting vital assistance to modernize and maintain their water delivery systems.
In addition, state-level programs contributed more than $16.8 million. The Saline Regional Public Water Authority secured a $7.7 million loan to advance a wholesale system using Ouachita River water, while Washington Water Authority received multiple loans totaling over $2.7 million for waterline projects and related improvements.
Since Governor Sanders took office, more than $2.7 billion in federal and state funding has been invested into water infrastructure projects across all 75 counties in Arkansas. In 2023, she issued Executive Order 23-27, launching a full-scale review of the Arkansas Water Plan. Phase one of that plan was completed in 2024, and phase two is expected to finish in summer 2026.
“These investments reflect our belief that no Arkansan should be left behind when it comes to access to clean water and modern infrastructure,” Sanders said.
A complete list of funded projects is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s website.
