Looks like Helena-West Helena’s beleaguered water system will be denied $4.5 million in congressional funds to fix aging, and leak-prone water lines after Sen. John Boozman flip-flopped on funding the repairs.
The funding was secured by Boozman in August 2024, along with another $4.5 million for Wynne’s water system and more than $200 million in total projects for the state. But Boozman and the rest of Arkansas’ congressional delegation voted for a six-month funding bill in March that cut money for the town’s water system.
The most recent water problems in Helena- West Helena started in January 2024 when a well pump failure left 1,400 city residents without water. Another failure occurred in September and left half the city without drinking water, according to a report from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
John Edwards, a former Clinton Administration official who works as the economic development director in Helena-West Helena, told the Democrat-Gazette Wednesday that the federal funds were 6% of what was needed to fix the system. Edwards said the loss was “disappointing,” but he was grateful for Boozman and his staff.
Boozman’s staff told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “The senator remains aware of the funding needs for these critical projects and will continue working with local leaders to help address them.”
Read the full report from the Democrat-Gazette here.
Phillip Powell writes about agriculture and the environment for Arkansas Times as a Report for America Corps Member. Send story ideas and quirky nature pictures to phillippowell@arktimes.com
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