Arkansas Advances $154M in Water and Wastewater Projects – Engineering News-Record

Arkansas Infrastructure Investment Report: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

On November 19, Arkansas state officials authorized approximately $154 million for 59 critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This investment is a significant step toward achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. The funding will support treatment-plant upgrades, distribution-system improvements, sewer rehabilitation, and regionalization efforts, enhancing the resilience and sustainability of water systems across the state.

Funding Allocation and Alignment with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The financial package is sourced from a combination of federal and state programs, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 6 by improving water quality and sanitation infrastructure.

Financial Breakdown

1. Clean Water State Revolving Fund: $81.38 million
2. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: $54.63 million
3. State Water Infrastructure Funds: $16.84 million
4. Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program: $1.12 million

This investment addresses the state’s commitment to ensuring its water and wastewater systems can meet the demands of growing communities, a core component of sustainable development.

Regional Development and Contribution to SDG 9 and SDG 11

The distribution of funds targets both rapid-growth hubs and rural systems, reflecting a balanced approach to statewide development in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Supporting Growth in Northwest Arkansas

A significant portion of the funding is allocated to Benton and Washington counties to manage rapid population growth and ensure sustainable urban development.

• Bentonville, Garfield, Gravette, Lincoln, and the Washington Water Authority received financing for projects including distribution improvements and treatment facility upgrades.
• These projects support over 94,000 customers and are critical for building inclusive, safe, and resilient settlements as outlined in SDG 11.

Enhancing Systems in Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas also received substantial allocations to bolster infrastructure resilience (SDG 9).

• Saline County was allocated over $11.5 million for wastewater treatment improvements and a wholesale water system expansion, benefiting nearly 100,000 customers.
• Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority in Pulaski County secured over $4 million for facility, pump-station, and conveyance upgrades.

Major Project Analysis and Infrastructure Resilience

Several large-scale projects were approved, targeting specific needs from pollution control to regional cooperation, thereby strengthening the overall resilience of the state’s water infrastructure.

Key Project Investments

• Clarksville (Johnson County): Received the largest single package of over $36.3 million for improvements to its pollution-control facility.
• Mayflower (Faulkner County): Secured $11.54 million for a regionalization project with Conway Corporation, promoting inter-municipal cooperation.
• Bentonville: Awarded approximately $9.62 million for a supply-transmission loop to reinforce service in a high-growth area.
• Mountain Pine (Garland County): Received $7.39 million for comprehensive sewer-system rehabilitation.
• Garfield: Awarded a $7.5 million grant for major water main improvements.

Focus on Small and Disadvantaged Communities

In alignment with the SDG principle of “leaving no one behind,” specific grants were directed toward smaller, underserved communities to address long-standing maintenance needs and reduce inequalities.

• Communities including Bonanza, Dierks, Hickory Ridge, and Warren received grants for essential upgrades such as meter replacements, generator installations, and filtration work.
• This targeted support ensures that even the most vulnerable systems can advance toward the goals of SDG 6.

Federal Funding Context and Long-Term Sustainability

Role of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

This funding cycle is significantly shaped by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provides expanded State Revolving Fund (SRF) capitalization grants through 2026. EPA guidance mandates that a high percentage of this allocation (at least 49%) be delivered as principal forgiveness loans or grants, enabling more subsidized awards for disadvantaged communities.

Future Outlook and Capital Requirements

State agencies are prioritizing the rapid deployment of these funds as the IIJA’s supplemental appropriations are set to taper after 2026. While this investment is substantial, national assessments indicate that Arkansas faces long-term water and wastewater capital requirements totaling billions of dollars. Continued and strategic investment will be essential for the sustained well-being of Arkansans and the full realization of Sustainable Development Goal 6 across the state.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The entire article focuses on funding and implementing projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure, which is the core of SDG 6. The text explicitly mentions ensuring “every Arkansan has clean water to drink and wastewater systems that work.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article details investments in building and upgrading critical infrastructure. Projects like “treatment-plant upgrades, distribution-system improvements, sewer rehabilitation, and regionalization efforts” directly contribute to developing quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure as outlined in SDG 9.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The investments aim to make communities more sustainable and livable by providing essential services. The article highlights projects in both rapidly growing urban areas like northwest Arkansas and “several rural systems,” as well as support for “Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities,” which aligns with the goal of making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  Although not explicitly mentioned, improving access to clean water and sanitation has a direct and significant impact on public health. By funding “filtration improvements” and “pollution-control facility” upgrades, the projects help prevent waterborne diseases, contributing to the well-being of the population.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

  The article describes projects financed by the “$54.63 million from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund” for “distribution-system improvements” and “filtration improvements” to bolster supply for thousands of customers, directly addressing the need for safe drinking water.

• Target 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

  The funding of “$81.38 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund” for “wastewater infrastructure projects,” “sewer rehabilitation,” and “septic-system remediation programs” clearly aligns with this target of providing adequate sanitation.

• Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution.

  The article mentions significant funding for “improvements to its pollution-control facility” in Clarksville and general “treatment-plant upgrades” across the state, which are direct actions to reduce water pollution.

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

  The core theme of the article is the investment of nearly “$154 million for 59 water and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide.” The goal to strengthen “the resilience of systems across the state” and support communities that “are expanding and demanding more from our infrastructure” directly reflects this target.

• Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

  The provision of clean water and sanitation is a basic service. The article’s focus on funding for “Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities” through a specific grant program demonstrates an effort to ensure equitable access to these essential services for all residents.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Financial Investment in Infrastructure

  The article provides precise financial figures that serve as a direct indicator of investment. Examples include the total approval of “nearly $154 million,” with specific amounts from different funds like “$81.38 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund” and “$54.63 million from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.” This measures the financial commitment towards water and sanitation infrastructure (relevant to Targets 6.1, 6.2, 9.1).

• Number of Projects Implemented

  The article states that the funding is for “59 water and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide.” This number serves as a quantitative measure of the scale of the intervention and progress in upgrading infrastructure.

• Population Served by Improved Services

  Progress can be measured by the number of people who will benefit from the upgraded systems. The article implies this indicator by repeatedly mentioning the customer base, such as projects that “reach more than 94,000 customers” in northwest Arkansas and a water system expansion expected to “bolster supply for nearly 100,000 customers” in Saline County.

• Focus on Vulnerable Populations

  The article mentions a “$1.12 million through the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities grant program.” The allocation of funds and the number of projects specifically targeting these groups can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards equitable access (relevant to Target 11.1).

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: enr.com