Northwest Arkansas’ Drinking Water Source

Beaver Water District Administration Center Open to the Public: 301 N. Primrose Road Monday - Friday Lowell, AR 72745 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone: (479) 756-3651 bwdh2o.org INTRODUCTION More than 50 years ago, visionary community leaders got together to discuss the need for a long-term supply of clean, safe water for Northwest Arkansas. Knowing that a large lake was the best source of water, these citizens worked to establish Beaver Lake. The dam that created Beaver Lake and the first water treatment plant were completed in the mid- 1960s. Since that time, the District has expanded and upgraded facilities to keep up with increased water demand and stricter drinking water standards. HISTORY Shortly after World War II, the Beaver Dam Association formed to promote construction of a dam on the White River southwest of Eureka Springs. By 1954, progress had been made when the U.S. Congress finally authorized dam construction for flood control, hydroelectric power and other beneficial uses. However, the project could not move forward because the Corps of Engineers could not demonstrate a sufficient cost-benefit ratio based on these uses. That’s when Arkansas’ congressional delegation took decisive action that would change Northwest Arkansas history. These forward-thinking leaders pushed for a national Water Supply Act which would include municipal water supply as a beneficial use. Finally, in 1958, this historic act recognized that the federal government needed to play a role in the development of water supplies. With the stroke of a pen, reauthorization of the construction of Beaver Dam had been accomplished, with the understanding that local interests would pay the costs associated with additional storage in the lake for drinking water. In the meantime, Arkansas legislators were busy as well. The Legislature in 1957 passed Act 114 which enabled the creation of nonprofit regional water distribution districts. In the case of Beaver Dam, that meant a water district would be formed to pay for water storage rights in Beaver Lake and, just as important, to pay for building and operating a water intake and water treatment facilities. On August 27, 1959, a circuit court order officially established Beaver Water District. The District executed agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for storage of water supply in Beaver Lake sufficient to provide 120 million gallons a day (mgd) average. The District also executed agreements with Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale to pay for storage rights and supply drinking water. The story of how these leaders pulled together to make abundant and economical drinking water supplies a reality in Northwest Arkansas is one worth remembering and celebrating. While many of us today take water for granted, the leaders who formed this District and envisioned the future knew better. They understood that water is precious. Clean drinking water ensures the continued health of the population of a region. Abundant, accessible water also ensures the economic vitality of a community.

The six leaders on the original board of directors of Beaver Water District – W.R. Roy Vaughn, Hal Douglas, Hardy Croxton, Jerome McRoy, Joe M. Steele, and Clayton Little -- deserve credit for making water supply a top priority in our region. Without their foresight, Northwest Arkansas would not be the economic powerhouse it is today.

ORGANIZATION Beaver Water District, formed under Arkansas Act 114 of 1957, is the oldest regional water district in the state of Arkansas. The District is governed by a six-member elected board of directors, with three members from Washington County and three from Benton County. Board members serve six-year terms, staggered by two years in each county. The board meets monthly, on the third Thursday. Beaver Water District is the second largest drinking water facility in the state of Arkansas. The District provides water at the wholesale price of $1.20 per thousand gallons to its four customer cities – Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville. These cities resell the water to their retail customers, as well as numerous cities and communities throughout the region. Beaver Water District’s plants can produce up to 140 mgd of drinking water. In total, the District provides water to more than 250,000 people and industries, or more than 9 percent of Arkansas’ population. MASTER PLAN - KEEPING OUR CUP FULL Beaver Water District’s $104 million expansion project, begun in 2002, insures that there will be drinking water supplies available to Northwest Arkansas well in the future. The Croxton plant and its expansion can produce 100 MGD of drinking water. The original 40 MGD Steele facility has been modified and updated. A new raw water intake and a new solid residuals handling facility are now in operation. The District’s expansion program is funded from reserves and the sale of bonds. In addition, a new Administration center opened with public access to educational exhibits in June 2009. NEW ADMINISTRATION CENTER Beaver Water District’s Administration Center demonstrates a commitment to the future of Northwest Arkansas. It is built to be energy efficient and meet the needs of our customers for many years to come. Environmental protection, energy efficiency, and use of recycled resources all played a part when planning the building. The Administration Center is constructed according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED guidelines. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The District is seeking certification through LEED. LEED is a national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings that have minimal impact on the surrounding environment. LEED building practices typically result in economic and environmental savings. The Administration Center is located just north of the existing secure entrance to the treatment facility, off Primrose Road in Lowell, Arkansas. Health and wellness of employees, District customers, and the environment were all considered when planning the center. The design focuses on maximum energy savings with an eye to the future. The challenge was to build the center using resources to their greatest benefit and keeping waste to a bare minimum. To tackle this goal, a series of meetings (referred to as design charrettes) were held. These meetings involved District staff, members of the architectural design team (architects, engineers, and landscape architect) and the LEED consultants. The structure is oriented with long north/ south walls to take advantage of daylight and provide ample views of the treatment facilities to the south. Extensive landscaping, water features, and areas of native plantings surround the building. A ground source geothermal system provides efficient heating and cooling. This system, coupled with ample use of daylight and lighting controls, results in low energy use. Pervious pavement in the parking area draining water during a rainstorm in contrast with the asphalt drive. (Photograph by Dr. Robert Morgan, Beaver Water District) Special Thanks Board of Directors David Short, President Bill Watkins, Vice President Chris Weiser, Secretary/Treasurer Woody Bassett, Director Mary Beth Brooks, Director Herb Hawkins, Director Staff At Beaver Water District Alan Fortenberry, Chief Executive Officer Larry Lloyd, Chief Operating Officer Steven Russell, Chief Financial Officer Ray Avery Colene Gaston Kevin Oxford Pat Bates Travis Graves Randy Paris Frank Blowers Bill HagenBurger Kelly Payne Charles Bluse Cindy Harp Danny Phipps Ed Boatright Gonzalo Hidrogo Socorro Pineda Jesse Burch Mark Hogan Candy Roberts Bill Catt Scott Holloway Jon Rogers Carri Chandler Damon Hoops Rick Sims Stacy Cheevers Roger Huddleston Mike Smart Mindi Crosswhite Brad Hufhines Rusty Tate Cary Davis Jim Johnson Rob Turner Danny Dearing Chris Kollman Dean Ward Drew Dickey Alan Littrell Amy Wilson Bob Evans Kayla Mhoon Dennis Wright Steve Farmer Lenny Millar Mike Yeager Dan Fields Bob Morgan Patrick Frizzell Taddy Nordyke MISSION O u r mission is t o s e r v e o u r c u s t om e r s in t h e B e n t on a n d W a s h in g t on C o u n t y a r e a b y p r o v i d in g h i g h q u a l - i t y d r in k in g wat e r t h at m e e t s o r e x c e e d s a l l f e d e r a l a n d s tat e r e g u l at o r y r e q u i r e m e n t s in s u c h q u a n t i t i e s a s m e e t s t h e i r d e m a n d s a n d is e c onomi c a l l y p r i c e d c onsis t e n t wi t h o u r q u a l i t y s ta n d a r d s .