On Wednesday, the Beaver Lake Water District opened its facilities to the public for a guided tour of the proposed water‑treatment plant. The event gave community members a first‑hand look at the engineering plans and the anticipated improvements to the district’s water‑supply system.
Capacity increase to meet growing demand
Current infrastructure can pump roughly 140 million gallons of water per day. The new plant, once completed, will add an additional 80 million gallons, raising total capacity to about 220 million gallons daily. District officials said the expansion is designed to handle peak‑demand periods, such as morning household use and afternoon irrigation cycles, as well as a smaller third peak that occurs around 3 a.m. when many irrigation systems start.
Project timeline and cost
The plant is part of a broader, multi‑year improvement program that also includes new pipelines and intake facilities. Construction is slated to finish by January 2030. While the exact cost of the plant alone was not disclosed, the overall budget covers the plant and the ancillary projects already underway.
Rate schedule changes
In conjunction with the infrastructure upgrades, the district has adopted a 15‑year rate‑review plan. Rates will be examined each May, and a modest increase will take effect on October 1, 2026. Residential customers will see the price rise from $1.82 to $1.98 per 1,000 gallons.
Record‑setting water usage
The expansion follows a summer in which the district set an all‑time record for water pumped in a single day. Officials attribute the surge to a combination of higher residential consumption and increased agricultural irrigation needs.
Community response
Attendees at the tour asked questions about the plant’s environmental safeguards, construction impacts, and long‑term water‑quality monitoring. District representatives emphasized that the design meets state and federal water‑quality standards and that construction will be staged to minimize disruption to existing service.
Overall, the Beaver Lake Water District aims to ensure a reliable water supply for the region’s growing population while keeping rates affordable and maintaining high water‑quality standards.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
