New study recommends Bentonville spends $185 million to upgrade sewer system
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A recent years-long study conducted by Olsson Engineering found that Bentonville's sewer system isn't up to standard and will require a nine-figure investment to get it up to par.
Olsson found that the South Lift Station 'could only provide a level of service that is less than a 1-year' and the McKisic and North Lift Stations having capacities 'to provide a level of service of 5-year or greater.' Olsson's recommendation is for the city to invest $185,853,000 into improvements through 2045 with $103,034,000 in capital projects in 2025.
'I don't really have any reservations on the dollar amount,' Jason Nole, a Bentonville resident, said when told about the study's results. 'I have more reservations on what that money would be doing and why.'
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The study was likely forecasting out the sewer system's future working capacity, given Bentonville's current and projected population and business growth. Nole's pleased that sewer infrastructure is being paid attention to by the city because, he said he's seen other cities grow while neglecting it.
Olsson came to its conclusions after surveying rainfall totals from September 2020 to June 2021 and analyzing it through the Environmental Protection Agency's Sanitary Sewer Overflow Analysis and Planning Toolbox. SSOAP generated model parameters and developed hydrographs in one-, two-, five-, 10- and 25-year design storms, the report's executive summary stated.
The report found that the Water Resource Recovery Facility, which serves the northern portion of the city's customers, had a peak hydraulic capacity that was nearly half of the estimated peak hourly rates for one-year storm and one-third of the estimated hourly rates for 25-year storm.
Below are the breakdowns of estimated costs, total length, in linear feet, and location of construction of Olsson's recommended improvements by year.
YEAR:
BASIN:
TOTAL LENGTH (FEET):
ESCALATED PROJECTED COST:
2025
McKisic Basin
3,167
$4,413,000
2025
South Lift Station
19,549
$71,320,000
2025
Town Branch Basin
4,336
$7,064,000
2025
Shewmaker Basin
13,364
$20,251,000
2025
ALL
40,416
$103,048,000
YEAR:
BASIN:
TOTAL LENGTH (FEET):
ESCALATED PROJECTED COST:
2030
South Lift Station
1,872
$4,503,000
2030
Town Branch Basin
2,043
$4,377,000
2030
ALL
3,915
$8,880,000
YEAR:
BASIN:
TOTAL LENGTH (FEET):
ESCALATED PROJECTED COST:
2035
McKisic Basin
462
$1,874,000
2035
South Lift Station
—
$9,184,000
2035
ALL
462
$11,058,000
YEAR:
BASIN:
TOTAL LENGTH (FEET):
ESCALATED PROJECTED COST:
2040
McKisic Basin
8,393
$25,044,000
2040
Town Branch Basin
1,595
$4,138,000
2040
ALL
9,988
$29,182,000
YEAR:
BASIN:
TOTAL LENGTH (FEET):
ESCALATED PROJECTED COST:
2045
McKisic Basin
1,954
$20,466,000
2045
Town Branch Basin
3,158
$13,233,000
2045
ALL
5,122
$33,699,000
It's now up to the city whether it will follow through with Olsson's capital improvement recommendations. It's unclear if this will result in a price increase for Bentonville customers.
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Nole said he wouldn't oppose the nine-figure investment if it's implemented, but he encourages you to speak up if you do.
'If we want to weigh in, now's the time to go to those meetings because that's when your voice can be heard,' Nole said. 'I would recommend people all take the time to weigh in on the economic state of their region.'
KNWA/FOX24 reached out to the Bentonville Water Department for an interview, but didn't hear back by the time of publication.
The entire study, which is more than 150 pages long, can be found on the city's website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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