LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting public comments on proposed amendments to water financing rules, including the creation of a new grant program. Comments will be accepted through May 5.
The proposed amendments update existing rules to incorporate the new Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Matching Grant Program, update regulatory language, and improve processes for communities seeking water‑related funding and approvals. Comments may be submitted by email or mail through the deadline. More information about the proposed amendments and how to submit comments is available online here.
The new Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Matching Grant Program, established by Act 812 of 2025, will provide approximately $25 million per year in matching funds for shovel‑ready water and wastewater projects. The program is designed to help communities leverage multiple funding sources and address critical infrastructure needs more effectively.
Arkansas’ water funding programs continue to deliver results statewide. Since 2021, the state has awarded nearly $2.8 billion in combined state and federal assistance for water and wastewater projects. The Department currently manages 489 active projects totaling $2.2 billion, supporting efforts to replace aging infrastructure, expand treatment capacity, reduce leaks in systems, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
More information about the public comment process, current funding programs, and project eligibility is available on the Department’s website.
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Media Contact: Ayden Duncan, (501) 813-6012
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