13 Jul 2026 $25 million grants for water infrastructure
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced today that it is now accepting applications for the newly established Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. Created under Act 812 of 2025, the program will provide approximately $25 million annually for three years for shovel‑ready water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
“Communities across Arkansas have critical water and wastewater projects that are ready to move but need additional support to get across the finish line,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “This grant program is designed to close that gap. By focusing on shovel-ready projects, we are helping communities move from planning to construction and making targeted investments in the infrastructure Arkansas families, businesses, and industries depend on every day.”
“This program is designed to help communities move critical projects from planning to construction,” said Chris Colclasure, Director of the Department’s Natural Resources Division. “By focusing on shovel‑ready projects, we can accelerate improvements that directly benefit Arkansans and better position water and wastewater systems to meet future needs.”
The new matching grant program requires up to 30 percent matching funds based on population and project type. Eligible projects include public water supply, treatment, and distribution systems; water meter replacements; and sewer collection and treatment systems. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, counties, public water authorities, and public facility boards.
Projects must be able to begin construction within one year of the grant award. To be considered shovel‑ready, projects must be fully designed and permitted or demonstrate that permitting can be completed within the one‑year timeframe. Applicants must also have submitted a project priority list application at least 60 days before submitting a funding application.
The Department has opened the 2026 water and wastewater funding cycle. Applications for all programs, including this new grant, must be submitted no later than September 11, 2026. Funding decisions are expected to be announced at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission November 2026 meeting.
Since 2021, the Department has awarded nearly $2.8 billion in financing for water and wastewater projects throughout the state. Total estimates for water and wastewater infrastructure needs across the state will be released in the Arkansas Water Plan that will be finalized in September 2026.
Additional information and application materials are available on the Department’s website.
