Fortunately, the region’s public sector leaders have a track record of responding to regional challenges with innovative solutions. Using this legacy of success as a guide, the cities of Rogers and Springdale created the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority (NACA) pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated 14-233-101, et seq, the “Joint County and Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Act” to address the treatment and disposal of bio-solids in Washington and Benton counties. Since its creation in 2002, eight additional municipalities joined the Authority whose mission expanded to include not only bio-solids, but also wastewater treatment, community education, and watershed monitoring and protection. It current membership roster includes the cities of:
Each member city is represented on the Authority’s board of directors.
NACA’s program includes an initial four million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) on a 470 acre regional treatment site and a biosolids treatment facility (BSTP) that not only handles the output of the NACA wastewater treatment plant, but also provides cost-effective biosolids management for the other water treatment facilities in northwest Arkansas. This facility is planned to begin operation in 2010.
The cost to construct a new, regional treatment facility is high, but the cost for each entity in Northwest Arkansas to "go it alone" would be much higher, and not as environmentally sound as the regional approach. Many describe Northwest Arkansas as the "economic engine of Arkansas" and the region is proud to contribute its part to the economy of the state, and indeed, the nation. A partnership between the federal government, state government, and the dedicated members of the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority is imperative in order to protect the region’s natural heritage and sustain its economic vitality thereby contributing to an ever higher quality of life for all the citizens of this great state.
