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Centerton Council says state permit expansion faces appeal; council weighs long-term sewer options as Walmart plans await approvals
Summary
City staff said the Arkansas Department of Natural Resources issued an expanded discharge permit for Decatur that is under appeal by Tulsa; a hearing is set for April 9–10. Council discussed short- and long-term options — including a $10 million buy‑in to connect to a regional system — and the implications for the proposed Walmart and other development.
City staff told the Centerton City Council on Jan. 13 that the Arkansas Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) issued a permit expanding permitted discharge at the Decatur treatment facility, but the City of Tulsa has appealed the decision, and an administrative hearing is set for April 9–10.
The announcement, delivered at the council’s monthly meeting by city water‑and‑sewer staff, prompted extensive council discussion about near‑term and regional options for handling increased wastewater flow if the permit is ultimately allowed to proceed. “The hearing on that appeal is set for April the 9th and the 10th,” Bob, the city’s water/sewer official, said during the meeting.
That schedule is consequential because several developers, including a proposed Walmart project, cannot proceed with some infrastructure work until ADNR approvals and any court actions are resolved. Council members and staff said Tulsa’s legal challenge means the current timeline for bringing new capacity online could stretch into years and complicate developer plans.
Council members heard that one possible but costly option is to buy into an existing regional system. Council discussed a reported $10 million buy‑in to connect to a regional authority (NACA/Naka), a step that officials said would raise rates and require deliberation about financing.
“$10 million buy‑in … will raise our rates far more than you want to have,” a council member said while discussing tradeoffs for residents. Staff also said that regardless of the court outcome, the state is undertaking a larger study of wastewater in northwest Arkansas that is expected to release initial findings in March or April and a fuller report later in the year.
The council discussed intermediate options raised by developers, including decentralized or onsite treatment systems that would be permitted and maintained under public‑health rules. Developer Gavin Edwards, speaking later in the meeting, urged the council to examine those systems as an interim strategy while regional capacity and litigation are addressed.
City staff cautioned that decentralized systems require site and soil testing, health‑department approval and robust maintenance plans. “These systems still have to be approved from the health department,” Bob said. Council members requested that staff and the utility commission compile options, legal guardrails and financial analyses for future consideration.
The council did not adopt any new policy or funding commitment at the Jan. 13 meeting. Staff said they will continue to monitor the ADNR administrative schedule and the Tulsa appeal and that further action — including formal planning for regional capacity or legislative requests — will follow as the state study and legal process clarify options.
