MAWA partnership ensures quality water for community

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association has announced that the Village has officially joined the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance, a coalition of dozens of Central Arkansas municipalities and water utilities committed to meeting the future water supply needs of the region.

The agreement to join the alliance culminates nearly four years of research and negotiations into the best way to move Hot Springs Village’s water supply forward for decades into the future. Now, Hot Springs Village will have safe, reliable drinking water sources for years to come.

“By joining our neighboring communities in acquiring long-term drinking water solutions for our residents, we are demonstrating our commitment here in Hot Springs Village to long-term, sustainable growth and economic development,” CEO Lesley Nalley said in a news release.

“This is a prudent choice for our community, and I’m grateful for the collaboration and cooperation among our staff, our board of directors, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, legislators and other cities in the region.”

Public Utilities Director Jason Temple said in the release that Hot Springs Village has had reliable drinking water for more than 40 years, but as the community has grown, it was necessary to consider an alternative water source.

Both the North Garland County Regional Water District and the city of Hot Springs are members of the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance. With Hot Springs Village’s membership in the group, the Village can now work more easily with those two utilities and others to secure a secondary water supply.

Hot Springs Village’s drinking water is currently from Mill Creek. The agreement allows the community to explore using Lake Ouachita as a water supply also.

John Weidert, chairman of the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association’s board of directors, said joining the alliance is a significant moment in the history of the community.

“Many years and untold hours have gone into making this Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance signing a reality,” Weidert said in the release. “From the Hot Springs Village board of directors’ perspectives, this act illustrates a major part of why we were elected to serve. We are honored to take part in this meaningful and historic event.”