State agency approves nearly $154 million in water projects across Arkansas

The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission on Wednesday approved $153.9 million in loans and grants to dozens of sewerage and water systems across the state, the governor’s office announced.The majority of the funds come from the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, a pot of federal money used for wastewater system improvements. Systems ranging in size from Little Rock’s Water Reclamation Authority, which serves more than 200,000 people, to a wastewater system serving 150 people in Blevins will receive a total $81.3 million in loans, according to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Nearly $55 million in loans will come out of the Clean Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, which similarly funds drinking water system improvements.

State funding will be used for roughly $16.8 million in loans and grants, while $1.1 million in grants will be paid out by the Small, Underserved and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program.

In the announcement, Sanders touted efforts by her administration to strengthen Arkansas’ water and wastewater infrastructure using $2.7 billion in federal and state funds. Funding for the two revolving loan funds increased in recent years as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

“Everywhere you look, Arkansas’ communities are expanding and demanding more from our infrastructure,” Sanders said. “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.”

Most of the loans from the two revolving funds come with principal forgiveness, meaning the borrower will not have to repay the loan in most instances.

A full list of the approved projects can be found on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s website.

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