NWA Water Supply History

Many of us today take water for granted, but the leaders who formed the District and envisioned the future knew better. They understood that water is precious. Clean drinking water ensures the continued health of the population of a region. Abundant, accessible water also ensures the economic vitality of a community. The story of how these leaders pulled together to make abundant and economical drinking water supplies a reality in Northwest Arkansas is one worth remembering and celebrating.

1949
Beaver Dam Association

Beaver Dam Association Forms

Front row, left to right: Willis Shaw, Claud Morsani, Joe Robinson, Earl Harris, Courney Crouch, Mace Howell, Paul Young and back row, left to right: Elbert Graham, State Senator Russel Elrod, J.J. Neil, Albert Price, ??, ??, Shelby Ford, Carl Shores, ??.

1954
Beaver Dam Construction

US Congress Authorizes Beaver Dam Construction

1957

AR Act 114 Allows Water Districts To Form

1958
Beaver Dam Construction

US Water Supply Act Passes Beaver Dam Construction Approved

1959
First Beaver Water District Board of Directors

Beaver Water District (BWD) Established

First BWD Board of Directors

WR Vaughn, H Douglas, H Croxton, J McRoy, JM Steele, C Little

1960
Beaver Dam Water Intake construction

Beaver Dam & Water District Intake Construction Begins

1966
Springdale intake and JM Steele Plant to treat 10 million gallons per day

Dam/Lake/ Springdale Intake & JM Steele Plant Completed To Treat 10 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD)

1968
JM Steele water treatment plant completed

Lake Fills To 1120 Ft MSL

1970
Beaver Water District takes operating control of treatment plant

BWD Assumes Operating Control of Steele Plant. Carroll & Boone Water Districts Form

1971

BWD Steele Plant Expanded to 25 MGD Capacity

1972

BWD Provides Water To All 4 Major Cities of Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, & Fayetteville

1973

Madison County Water Facilities Board Organized

1975

Carroll & Boone Water Districts Merge To Form CBWD with 6 MGD Capacity

1978

BWD Steele Plant Expanded to 50 MGD Capacity

1982

CBWD Provides Water To Eureka Springs & Berryville

1985

CBWD Provides Water To Harrison

1992

“Two-Ton” Benton/Washington Regional Public Water Authority (BWRPWA) Formed

1993
Beaver Water District's Hardy Croxton

Madison County Regional Water District (MCRWD) Comes Online At 3 MGD & BWD Hardy Croxton Plant Goes Into Service With 40 MGD Capacity

1998

MCRWD Increases Capacity To 6.4 MGD

1999
Second treatment plant expansion

“Two-Ton” BWRPWA 4 MGD Capacity Serves 1st Customers & CBWD 2nd Treatment Plant Expansion To 18 MGD Capacity

2005
Beaver Water District's new water intake completed

BWD New Raw Water Intake Completed

2006

BWD Croxton Expands to 100 MGD

2007

BWD Steele Plant Renovation • New Admin Bldg Construction • “Two-Ton”/BWRPWA Expansion To 24 MGD

2009
New Beaver Water District Administration Building

BWD Steele Plant & New Admin Bldg Dedicated

2011
Beaver Watershed Alliance logo

Beaver Watershed Alliance Formed

2012

BWD Water Education Center Dedication Honors John M. Lewis (BWD Board Of Directors 1975-2007)

2025

Build Western Corridor Pipeline & Hub

2040

BWD To Expand To 220 MGD

To find out more information on the history of Beaver Water District, please read Development of Municipal Water Supplies for Benton and Washington Counties, Arkansas.