Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders putting over $42 million into water projects including Helena-West Helena

Alex Kienlen
·2 min read
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Tuesday that her office is investing over $42 million in state water projects, including the troubled Helena-West Helena system.

A spokesperson for the governor’s office said the water and wastewater projects will impact over 22,000 Arkansans. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved the funding on Feb. 28.

Residents of an east Arkansas town have been without water for the past two weeks

Helena-West Helena water system has left residents without water twice since December. In both cases, aging pipes burst after temperatures dropped below freezing.

A governor’s office spokesperson said loans have been approved for Helene-West Helena system repairs and potable water has been provided, as has National Guard assistance.

Arkansas National Guard supplies water to Sparkman due to water main repairs

The locations receiving funding are:

  • Helena West-Helena, Phillips County, will receive an emergency $100,000 loan from the Water Development Fund and an $11,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 5,500.

  • Mena, Polk County, will receive an $11,583,500 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 5,558.

  • Tri-County Regional Water Distribution District, Pope County, will receive a $5,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 3,500.

  • Mountainburg, Crawford County, will receive a $7,037,300 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 6,184.

  • Mulberry, Crawford County, will receive a $7,549,317 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 1,543.

“Every Arkansan deserves access to safe and consistent running water,” the governor said. “My administration has prioritized improvements to Arkansas’ water infrastructure and today, I’m proud to announce $42 million in much-needed assistance for communities that face critical issues with their existing water facilities.”

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The governor had also called for a comprehensive analysis of the Arkansas State Water Plan in August. The plan was last updated in 2014.

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