Beaver Water District Employees Making an Impact
On Friday, May 8th, Beaver Water District (BWD) took the next steps forward in their Capital Improvement Plan by hosting another groundbreaking event. The new 80 MGD (million gallons per day) capacity drinking water treatment facility called the Starr Water Treatment Plant officially began construction. The event was held in partnership with Crossland Heavy Contractors and Black & Veatch. The new treatment facility will be an exceptionally large addition to the District’s campus in Lowell, Arkansas.
Crossland Heavy Contractors were awarded the contract for the 80 MGD treatment plan in April of this year. This $302 million project, designed by Black & Veatch, is necessary infrastructure for the continued growth of Northwest Arkansas. The new facility will not only increase treatment capacity but also strengthen long-term reliability. With 1 in 6 Arkansans receiving water through the four customer cities of Beaver Water District, and the population of NWA expected to reach one million people by 2050, staying ahead of the growth is essential. Starting now will ensure that water will be available for the anticipated growth. The facility is expected to be completed in late 2029 or early 2030.
Dan Thompson, President of Crossland Heavy, spoke about the relationships between the organizations over the past decades. During his time at the podium, he said “Do the right thing. Build lasting relationships. Take care of people.” This phrase helped capture the feeling of the District as well. Making sure that clean safe drinking water continues to be there for the families and businesses of NW Arkansas is what this is all about.
The short program and groundbreaking were the perfect way to wrap up National Drinking Water Week and Economic Development Week. After reflecting on the decisions of past administrators and board members that laid the groundwork for development in the area, CEO Lane Crider said, “Let’s turn some dirt.” District Board of Directors and staff were joined by customer city representatives, Black and Veatch, and Crossland Heavy Contractors employees as shovels were dug into the soil for the official groundbreaking photo op.
The new water treatment facility is not the only structure in this project. This project also includes upgrades to existing electrical infrastructure, a new solids processing facility, upgrades to existing solids processing facilities, and a brand-new Operations building that will also house the Compliance laboratory. Full build out will include moving Frisco Church Road slightly further south so that it does not separate the District’s property. Expect big changes the next time you visit the District.
Mr. C. Richard (Dick) Starr, P.E. was the first Engineer/Manager of Beaver Water District. From 1971 until he retired in 2001, Dick moved the District forward and embraced the regional concept that was set forth by the creation of Beaver Water District.
He directed the District from its earliest days. From a 10 MGD water plant, through multiple expansions and additions, he understood the potential growth of Northwest Arkansas. At the time of his retirement in 2001, the Beaver Water District facilities included two treatment plants with a capacity of 80 MGD.
Dick was involved in the community. He worked with local Chambers of Commerce, the Northwest AR Council, and others. He was Chair of the Arkansas Water Works & Water Environment Association in 1977, and the Chair of the SW Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in 1980. He went on to serve as the SW Section Director of the AWWA from 1984-1987. In 1996 he was the recipient of the of the Glen T. Kellogg Award. The Kellogg Hall of Fame members are recognized for their lifelong career achievements for the betterment of the water industry in Arkansas.
As Beaver Water District continues to expand for the benefit of everyone in NWA, we will proudly call the new 80 MGD water treatment facility, the C. Richard Starr Water Treatment Plant.