BRYANT, Ark. — The City of Bryant is taking steps forward to obtain more affordable and sustainable water.
It's been decades in the making, but the move could mean fewer water rate increases in the future.
"It's very exciting," Bryant Mayor Rhonda Sanders said. "For the past 20 to 30 years, Saline County has really worked hard to identify water sources for Saline County."
Now, Bryant is set to get water from an independent source in Saline County, as Sanders signed an agreement with Saline Regional Public Water Authority earlier this week.
The city currently gets its water from Central Arkansas Water (CAW).
"This is a very different configuration," Sanders said. "We will be in this agreement with several of the other municipalities here in Saline County, but we will all be part of the decision-making, will all have an equal seat at the table, one vote, which means we're going to be in the driver's seat for talking about rates and when to expand."
Sanders said she expects the water prices to be more stable using an independent source.
"We are projecting them to come in a little less than what we're expected to be paying to CAW," Sanders said. "Do I wish I could tell everyone next week your water bill will drop by $30 a month? Yes, I do. I can't project out 5 or 10 years right now, but I know this will be good for us."
Bryant Public Works Director Tim Fournier agrees.
"I think the City of Bryant, the residents, and the people who purchase and drink our water would like Bryant to have a say in what happens with their water treatment and distribution system," Fournier said. "I think it's good for not just city personnel and the utility, but also for the residents of Bryant."
Shane Broadway, with the Arkansas State University System and Saline County Economic Development Corporation Board, is a lifelong resident of Bryant.
He said this water conversation has come a long way since he attended a meeting in the late 1990s.
"To see it all finally come together is really exciting because I might not be around in 50 years," Broadway said. "I want the people who live in our community to have that reliable source."
Additionally, Broadway said it should help set up the city for success in the future.
"We want it to continue to grow, continue to be a place that families want to move to," Broadway said. "To do that, you got to have water."
As for the next steps, Sanders said the city will continue meeting with the Saline Regional Water Authority every month to discuss starting the design work for the future treatment plant.
She expects it to open within the next five years.