Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Three Arkansas water systems will receive a total of $19.9 million in federal stimulus funds, officials announced Monday.

U.S. Department of Agriculture said the funding includes:

—Baxter-Marion Rural Water Association No. 1 in northern Arkansas, $7.63 million.

—City of Corning, $7.68 million.

—Miller County Public Water Authority, $4.59 million.

The Baxter-Marion aid, intended to fund a booster pump station, ground storage tank and a water-line distribution system, includes a $3.87 million grant and a $3.75 million loan.

A joint press release from U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, all D-Ark., said the Baxter-Marion funding is expected to create or save 175 jobs.

More than 52 percent of potential Baxter-Marion customers are low to moderate income, said Bob Rogus, secretary-treasurer of the water association.

“Our families depend upon their individual household wells, but for an increasing number of families, these wells are becoming unusable due to dropping water tables or contamination,” Rogus said.

The project began in 1999 and will serve 790 potential users in northeast Marion and northwest Baxter counties, in the communities of Oakland, Promise Land and Three Brothers. The project will connect area residents to the existing city of Mountain Home water system.

Corning’s aid package includes a $4.68 million loan and $3 million grant.

Miller County’s aid includes $2.452 million loan and $2.137 million grant.