ANRC approves funds for local water and waster/water projects

The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) approved $270 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding distribution at its meeting on Friday, (Dec. 2). A total of 157 projects will receive funding across 58 counties.

Hutchinson established the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Steering Committee to vet the best use of ARPA funding provided to the state. In June 2021, a working group for water and other infrastructure projects was formed to make a recommendation to the ARPA steering committee. 

The Working Group conducted an extensive assessment of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater needs across the state. Based on more than 1,400 responses, an overall water infrastructure need of $5.2 billion was identified. On Aug. 31, 2021, the working group submitted a final report to the ARPA Steering Committee. A timeline, eligibility requirements, and scoring criteria were also developed and included in the report. 

During the summer, the American Rescue Plan Steering Committee approved $270 million to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture for water, wastewater, and stormwater projects and $10 million for irrigation projects. Applications were accepted until Nov. 4. A total of 882 applications were received and included at least one application from each county within the state. 

The projects were scored by representatives of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division, Arkansas Department of Health, and Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality. A total of 157 projects across 58 counties were recommended for funding. A total of 412 unique entities submitted applications and 119 different entities received funding for water and/or wastewater. Fourteen entities received funding for at least one drinking water and one wastewater application. 

Local cities and counties that’s been approved for the Drinking Water award were:

For Pike County, Delight-Water Tank Improvements $953,249.00 and Glenwood-Highway 70 Water Relocation $108,849.75.

For Hempstead County, Ozan-Tank Improvements Project $243,000.00, Ozan-Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project $191,625.00, Southwest Arkansas Water Facilities Board Hempstead-Bois D’Arc Water Extension Project $186,750.00, Southwest Arkansas Water Facilities Board Hempstead-Spring Hill Water System Extension Project $3,757,500.00, Southwest Arkansas Water Facilities Board Hempstead Water System Improvements-PRVs, Tank Mixers and SCADA System Project  $219,000.00, and Howard County Water System Improvements Project $741,702.00.

Local cities that’s been approved for the wastewater award were: Mineral Springs Wastewater System Improvements Project $3,748,632.75, Glenwood Highway 70 Sewer Relocation $470,829.00, and Glenwood Wastewater Improvements Project $3,273,356.25.