Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority
Little Rock, AR (February 20, 2020) – An innovative and award-winning program at Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority (LRWRA) has reached a milestone.
The Sewer Service Line Replacement Program (SSLRP), the only one of its kind in the state and perhaps even the nation, has aided more than 2,500 residents with replacing their private sewer service line and reimbursed more than $6 million to property owners in Little Rock.
Launched in 2013, the program reimburses residential property owners up to $2,500 towards the cost to replace the private sewer pipe between homes and the city’s sewer mains.
Studies have determined that up to 40 percent of the excess water entering the sanitary collection system comes from the private sewer service lines of homes and many of these homes have long-standing issues that are costly to repair. LRWRA determined that improving the public sewer system alone was not the answer and too costly. “Although improvements to the public sewer collection system is necessary, it is cheaper to replace small diameter shallow pipes verses larger pipes that are deeper in reducing infiltration” said Greg Ramon, CEO of LRWRA.
The replacement of 2,500 sewer services equates to about 200,000 linear feet of new sewer pipes totaling more than 38 miles. This effort has not only helped the homeowners by eliminating sewer problems, but also has reduced the infiltration of groundwater into the Utility's sewer system by an estimated 12 million gallons annually.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., described the program as a “win-win and hitting the right priorities.”
"Programs such as the Sewer Service Line Replacement Program help LRWRA reduce the infiltration of ground and rainwater getting into the system, while reducing the financial burden on residents," Mayor Scott said. "In addition, residents obtain a new, reliable asset for their home. The infrastructure is not just being patched for today, but renewed for generations to come."
The Little Rock Board of Directors passed Ordinance No. 20,590 in June 2012 for the addition of a $1.00 monthly charge to the domestic customer with all funds going directly back to the customers through the SSLRP reimbursement. As a result of the popularity and a back log of homeowners waiting for reimbursement, an additional funding source was added in February 2016, allowing LRWRA to reimburse some homeowners with money from the State of Arkansas Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) administered by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC).
Based on the program’s impact of protecting public health, the economic benefits, sustainability and innovation, ANRC nominated LRWRA for a national award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Utility received EPA’s 2017 PISCES Award for Exceptional Projects for the SSLRP’s innovative approach to improving water quality and public health.
For more information about Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority and the Sewer Service Line Replacement Program, visit www.lrwra.com/programs/sslrp or call (501) 688-1426.
For media questions, please contact Kenetta Ridgell at (501) 688-1470 or kenetta.ridgell@lrwra.com.
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority exists to preserve and replenish the environment by reclaiming our most valuable resource—water. The collection and treatment services protect both public health and the environment. The utility is overseen jointly by the Chief Executive Officer and the Little Rock Water Reclamation Commission, which is comprised of seven members. These citizens are appointed by the Little Rock City Board of Directors.