Arkansas commits $575 million to strengthen statewide water, sewer infrastructure
(UI) — Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed a trio of bills committing more than $575 million toward water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the state.
“If our state is going to continue to grow and thrive, then every Arkansan needs access to safe and reliable water infrastructure,” Sanders said in a statement. “I was proud to work with the legislature to support this legislation and invest more than half a billion dollars in Arkansas’ water issues, and I will work closely with the Department of Agriculture to ensure we provide assistance to the communities that need it most.”
The legislation, passed during the 2025 session, includes:
- SB420 (Act 736): Allows private utilities to convert into public water authorities, making them eligible for additional state funding.
- HB1681 (Act 812): Establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. It will allocate $25 million annually for three years using interest earnings, with 20% reserved for small rural systems serving populations of 1,200 or fewer.
- SB421 (Act 578): Proposes a 2026 ballot initiative to authorize $500 million in long-term funding for water and wastewater projects through 2043, using loan repayments. No increase to general revenue is proposed. The state’s current bond authority is set to expire in summer 2027.
“Clean water isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity,” added Rep. DeAnn Vaught. “This legislation is a crucial first step toward repairing what’s broken, preparing for the future, and ensuring every Arkansas community has the water infrastructure it needs to thrive.”
Since taking office, Sanders has overseen $2.5 billion in water-related investments supporting 478 community projects across all 75 counties. Her administration also launched the state’s first comprehensive levee inventory and is currently updating the Arkansas Water Plan, set to be completed next year. She has also supported emergency equipment upgrades for rural water systems and authorized emergency action to stabilize the City of Helena-West Helena’s water system.
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