In rural Arkansas water and wastewater grants are critical for citizens.
Just sit in on a rural water board meeting and it becomes clear quickly how a little money can go a long way for much-needed projects.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Wednesday an additional $13,680,374 in financial assistance for water and wastewater projects for 12 entities.
According to the release, the projects serve more than 42,288 Arkansans across the state. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved this funding on May 21, 2025.
“My administration is working hard to improve Arkansas’ water systems, and this additional $13 million in funding will help communities around the state have access to safe drinking water,” Sanders said. “Arkansans are counting on their local water utilities to deliver consistent and safe water, which is why we have gone above and beyond to overhaul and improve Arkansas’ water resources.”
“Adequate water and wastewater infrastructure is critical,” Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said. “Thank you to Governor Sanders for her continued leadership on an issue that impacts the economic viability of our state and the quality of life of every Arkansan.”
“Access to dependable water and wastewater systems is essential for the well-being of Arkansans and the growth of our communities,” Chris Colclasure, Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division said. “The projects approved today will provide substantial benefit to the citizens served.”
In August, Governor Sanders announced the first phase of the Arkansas Water Plan has been completed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Along with state partners, Governor Sanders has administered over $2.5 billion for water development projects in all 75 counties using state and federal funds.
In South Arkansas, projects receiving funding include:
- Banks, Bradley County, received a $95,384 grant from the Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 1,048. These funds will be used as part of a regionalization project with the Southeast Bradley County Water Authority.
- Gillett, Arkansas County, received a $448,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 333. These funds will be used for construction of an elevated water storage tanks.
- Hampton, Calhoun County, received a $221,700 grant from the Sewer Overflow and Storm Water Reuse Municipal Grant Program. The project serves a current customer base of 1,181. These funds will be used for a wastewater collection rehabilitation project.
Other grants announced Wednesday include:
- The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, received a $1,805,421 grant from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund set asides from the Arkansas Department of Health. These funds will be used for a statewide PFAS detection program bank.
- The Arkansas Rural Water Association, received two grants – a $125,000 grant and a $65,000 grant both from the Water Development Fund. These funds will be used for a circuit rider grant agreement and technical assistance.
- Cushman, Independence County, received a $140,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 433. These funds will be used for Water System Improvement project including renovation of booster stations.
- Flippin, Marion County, received a $2,500,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 1,836. These funds will be used for water system improvements including water main and meter replacements.
- Haskell, Saline County, received a $562,638 grant from the Sewer Overflow and Storm Water Reuse Municipal Grant Program. The project serves a current customer base of 3,956. These funds will be used for a sanitary sewer evaluation survey.
- Nail Swain Water Association, Newton County, received a $41,037 loan from the Water Development Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 357. These funds will be used for a maintenance truck.
- Sherwood, Pulaski County, received a $7,059,046 loan from the General Obligation Bond Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 32,731. These funds will be used for a Five Mile Creek interceptor rehabilitation.
- The Watershed Conservation Resource Center, Washington County, received $299,092 grant from the Sewer Overflow and Storm Water Reuse Municipal Grant Program. These funds will be used to implement phase t• The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment is receiving a $1,805,421 grant from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund set asides from the Arkansas Department of Health. These funds will be used for a statewide PFAS detection program bank.
- Weiner, Poinsett County, received a $318,057 loan from the Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 413. These funds will be used for wastewater sludge holding pond renovations.
