Centerton hears utility update on sewer "pinch points," flow monitoring and Decatur plant expansion plans

Centerton officials and utility staff provided a detailed update on sewer-system capacity issues, ongoing flow monitoring and regional coordination with nearby utilities, and described progress at Decatur—s wastewater plant that could change regional capacity planning.

City and utility staff told the council that the specific pinch points identified by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) have been addressed by the utility as an immediate compliance step. Staff said ongoing flow monitoring and data collection are intended to document actual peak flows; if monitored flows are materially lower than prior estimates (staff cited an example threshold of about 40% of the previously reported maximum), that evidence could reduce required infrastructure changes and save the utility significant capital expense.

Staff and consultants reported that Sand Creek (a nearby utility or developer group referenced in the record) shared data with Centerton—s utility and that Centerton—s staff acknowledged receiving those materials. The council heard that the utility and its engineering consultants (RJN referenced as the master-plan consultant) will use a master plan to size upgrades: where multiple sequential developer-driven upgrades would otherwise replace the same pipe multiple times, the master plan can require the first developer to install a pipe sized for longer-term growth so subsequent developers avoid repeated replacements. The council was told this framework will be formalized through forthcoming ordinances and policies and is expected to reach the Council—s agenda in a future quarter.

Decatur—s plant upgrades were discussed in detail. Staff reported membrane replacements are underway (two new membranes installed with a third expected in two to three weeks), headworks and other civil work near completion, and a UV-monitoring upgrade will be ordered to match higher flows. Staff said Decatur—s current plant was described in presentation materials as having a design capacity of about 5.36 million gallons per day, with future modular "pods" that would add roughly 4 million gallons per pod; staff described a multi-phase path that could grow capacity substantially over time (up to the tens of millions of gallons per day in eventual buildout scenarios), but emphasized that expansion occurs in phases and requires permitting and funding.

Council members discussed rate implications. One councilmember urged caution about asking the utility to absorb rate increases and suggested spreading sewer-rate adjustments across annual increases so residents can absorb smaller, recurring changes rather than facing a large single hike later. Staff said a formal rate study will be completed before budget adoption so the public and council will have the study to support any proposed rate changes.

Why it matters: Sewer pinch points, capacity planning and rate design affect the cost of development, who pays for system upgrades and the timing of new construction. Centerton is coordinating with neighboring utilities and consultants to align the master plan, developer obligations and meter/SCADA improvements so future development is supported by adequate infrastructure.

Provable details from meeting: staff said ADH conditions had been satisfied for immediate compliance, flow-monitoring studies are in progress, Decatur—s membrane replacements are nearly complete, and discussion of developer-cost-sharing and master-plan sizing will be formalized in future policy and ordinance work.

Ending: Staff said they will bring the rate study and proposed ordinance language back to the council for formal action; council members emphasized the need for transparent documentation when rate changes are proposed to the public.