Arkansas’ largest water plant set to be renovated; Central Arkansas Water customers paying for it

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The largest water plant in Arkansas is getting its first renovation since it was built in the 1950s, coming with a hefty price tag Central Arkansas Water customers will be paying.

On Sept. 18, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved the final $80 million of a $230 million loan for the project. The commission already approved $150 million prior.

At 70, the Jack H. Wilson Treatment Plant is still pumping 125 million gallons a day, but CAW Public Information Officer Doug Shackleford said, “It’s just starting to show its age.”

Rust, rubble and rattling are not hard to find at the plant. Shackelford said that’s all about to change in early 2025. A five-year renovation process will begin with the main goal of more efficiently producing more water.

“We’re ensuring water for generations, and that’s really what this is all about,” Shackelford said.

CAW officials said everything will be new and modernized from the concrete making the basins to the systems feeding chemicals or eliminating waste. Some portions are currently unused and without purpose because of advancing technology and have been incorporated into the new design.

CAW customers will ultimately be repaying the $80 million loan. After a rate study, CAW determined that 10 years of incremental rate increases would fund this project and others in their system.

The rate increases began in 2022 and by 2032 monthly bills will be double what they were before. While that may hurt the bank account, Shackelford argues it is necessary to make their infrastructure last another century.

“It will be one of the most modern in the country for decades and will allow us to ensure we didn’t run into some of the same issues that other cities have run into because we have done the investment,” Shackelford said.

Central Arkansas Water said that they were already among the top 10 most affordable systems before the rate increases, and they expect to still be there when they are over.

CAW serves almost 500,000 customers across eight counties, and 75% of the system’s water comes from the Jack H. Wilson Treatment Plant which sources Lake Maumelle.

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