What is the Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee?
Established in 1992, the Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee (WWAC) provides developmental guidance for water and wastewater projects by recommending financing through different funding agencies. Projects eligible for funding include treatment plants, distribution and collection lines, water/wastewater service extensions, elevated and ground storage tanks, and new water sources. The WWAC application is required for entities to receive state-administered funding for eligible projects.
Partnerships
WWAC partners include the U.S. Department of Agriculture–Rural Development, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, and Arkansas Department of Commerce. WWAC also partners with community-focused organizations, including the Arkansas Rural Water Association, Communities Unlimited and Water Finance Exchange. Each of these entities may provide comments on water and wastewater projects to assist with compliance requirements and project development. At WWAC’s monthly meetings, each application is reviewed by the committee to provide funding recommendations or to request additional information prior to providing a funding recommendation.
How to apply
The application is a savable, fillable PDF available on the Water & Wastewater Funding homepage. Applications received by the 15th of each month will be processed and placed on the following month’s agenda.
The first part of the application asks for general information about the applicant and the applicant’s engineering firm. The remainder of the application is more detailed with questions about the project and application type. The applicant must provide detailed specifications of the project including a brief project description, proposed project location and proposed new service area, anticipated total project funding amount, the status of recent inspections and any enforcement actions, and the proposed project schedule.
Applicants are also asked to identify the specific entities from which funding is requested. Applicants may select multiple agencies from which to receive funding or ask for a specific amount from each agency. If no agency is chosen, the funding source will default to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
Submitting the application
Completed applications should be submitted via email to WWAC at [email protected]. WWAC will send an email confirming receipt.
WWAC applications are reviewed by committee members on a rolling basis. After members evaluate an application, it is added to the next WWAC meeting agenda. During the monthly meeting, members discuss each application and determine funding recommendations for applicants.
If the information submitted is not complete or the committee members have questions, WWAC will send the applicant a letter asking for additional information. Once all application requirements have been fulfilled, WWAC will provide a recommendation letter listing the potential funding sources for the project.
Applicants may also submit an Arkansas Department of Agriculture funding application along with the WWAC pre-application if seeking funding from the Department.
Requested documents
Project plans and specifications along with a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), although not required, may be requested to assist in funding recommendations.
Water Plan Compliance
Water Plan Compliance (WPC) ensures that projects comply with the state water plan, which provides for the orderly development and management of the state’s water and related land resources. WPC applies to both water and wastewater projects, state and non-state funded projects, and any public entity.
To start the WPC process, the applicant or applicant’s preparer should complete an Exemption Checklist Form. If the project meets the exemption requirements, an exemption letter will be sent. If the project does not meet exemption requirements, a WPC application will be sent. The application must be accompanied by a PER.
WPC forms are available on the Department’s website and can also be requested by email.
Contact information
For questions about the WWAC pre-application process, please contact Amy Theriac, grants coordinator, Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Division.
