Section 1452 of the safe drinking water act (sdwa) authorizes the state to utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of sdwa

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 awarded the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission a $12.651 million formula grant under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program (CFDA #66.468) to capitalize Arkansas' Drinking Water State Revolving Fund from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2026.

The grant funds will be used to provide low-interest financing to public water systems in Arkansas for drinking water infrastructure improvement projects that protect public health. This includes improving drinking water treatment, repairing or replacing aging pipes, upgrading water sources, constructing or renovating storage tanks, and other system upgrades. Up to 30% of the funds may also support program administration and technical assistance for small water systems. One identified sub-award will provide $TBD to the Beaver Water District for treatment plant improvements. The capitalized state fund is expected to increase technical, financial, and managerial capacity of Arkansas' public water systems and ensure a safer drinking water supply through multiple funded projects.

This agreement will provide funds to capitalize the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (dwsrf) to provide low interest financing for costs associated with the planning, design and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects and activities to protect human health. As part of this agreement, the recipient ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, which are designed to protect public health.activities:the bulk of the SRF will be used for loans and other authorized assistance to public water systems for eligible projects, including improving drinking water treatment, fixing leaky or old pipes (water distribution), improving source of water supply, replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks, and other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific 'set-asides' to provide technical assistance to small systems, program administration, state program management and other allowable uses. Subrecipient:for the state revolving fund programs, loans issued to municipalities are considered subawards. However, the grantee will issue these as loans and not grants, even in the case of subsidy.outcomes:the benefits of this grant will be to capitalize the recipient's dwsrf. The fund can then be used to increase technical, financial and managerial capacity of public water systems, and provide assurance of a cleaner and safer potable water supply by funding improvements to multiple water infrastructure projects. These public health benefits will be statewide.