The city of Bentonville, Arkansas, has received a $239 million loan from a non-profit foundation to overhaul its sewer infrastructure system.
The city council has already adopted a 10-year, $239 million program that will modernize its inadequate sewer system. Analyses conducted on the system’s condition determined that existing sewer infrastructure won’t have the capacity to keep pace with Bentonville’s rapidly growing population.
As it stands, the transmission pipes to treatment plants are too small to contend with the city’s growth rate. With the wastewater system at its limit across the city, the loan will enable the city council to break ground on expanding capacity is critical areas.
The city is expected to begin opening up the bidding process for the first of the projects supported through the $239 bond in the near future. These projects will primarily consist of:
- Installing transmission main extensions.
- Replacing wastewater pipelines.
- Building elevated storage tanks.
- Improving or building basins.
- Enhancing lift stations.
- Upgrading treatment center capacity.
While a significant portion of the most critical projects have been identified, the city’s studies are still incomplete. As part of preparation for the bond program, the city conducted analyses of four out of five sewer basins to gauge their conditions and what projects are needed. In addition, only the largest pipes have been appropriately studied. Officials anticipate that the sewer infrastructure project list will expand as the city completes its analysis of essential structures.
While the non-profit loan provides the $239 million over a 20-year period with a 5% interest rate, the Bentonville City Council plans to complete all projects featured in the plan over the next decade. Halving the planned schedule will ultimately save money as the city avoids inflation costs.
With the sewer infrastructure in its current state, several major developments have been halted due to the lack of capacity. With the loan, these projects can get underway again, although new construction won’t be occupied until the sewer upgrades are finished.
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