Runyan Sewer District 211
Construction has begun on your new waste-water treatment facility.
View this website for more information
About
Runyan Sewer Improvement District No. 211 (RSID) has begun construction on a new waste-water treatment facility.
Construction of the new facility is funded by a 12.2 million dollar Bond. ​Construction began after the Bond was approved. The process prior to Bond approval included a proposal, a public comment period, a hearing held at Pulaski County Administration presided over by Judge Barry Hyde, and separate approval by the RSID Commissioners. ​
The current waste-water facility has begun to deteriorate too quickly and at too high a cost to justify continued repairs. The current facility's deterioration has led to numerous recent violations of Arkansas environmental-quality water standards. RSID has evaluated all avenues of addressing the facility's deterioration and the need to comply with state environmental standards.
New-construction is the only viable method of addressing the existing facility's problems.
Before and After
The existing facility was constructed in 1991
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The existing facility is 34 years old. All infrastructure has a life-span, and sometimes it becomes more costly to repair rather than replace. The existing facility has reached the end of its usable life-span and must be replaced.
The new facility will be state of the art
RSID's new facility will be state of the art. Its construction is modelled after a new facility recently completed for customers of Gravel Ridge Sewer District (pictured here). This facility will ensure that RSID is in compliance with all environmental water-quality standards set by the state of Arkansas.
Changes to Your Bill
Your waste-water treatment bill is a portion of your bill from Central Arkansas Water. Changes to your bill will be reflected there.
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Currently, RSID residential customers pay a flat rate of $43.00 per month for waste-water treatment. By April 1, 2026, RSID residential customers will pay $86.00 per month for waste-water treatment. The increase will occur in three phases in order to ease the change into customers' financial planning.
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Phase 1:
February 1, 2025
$43.00 to $57.35
Phase 2:
November 1, 2025
$57.35 to $71.70
Phase 3:
April 1, 2026
$71.70 to 86.00
RSID understands that this increase places a burden on the customer; however, the increase is unavoidable. The existing facility must be replaced, and the Bond, which was issued by The Arkansas Development Finance Authority, must be repaid.
F.A.Q.s
When a public utility announces a rate change, customers and ratepayers often have a variety of questions regarding the reason for the increase, its impact on their bills, and how the funds will be used. Here are some **frequently asked questions** (FAQs) and suggested answers that address common concerns:
### 1. **Why is the rate increasing?**
**Answer**: The rate increase is necessary to cover the costs of upgrading aging infrastructure, complying with new regulatory standards, and ensuring reliable service. In this case, the construction of a new sewer treatment plant will ensure the system remains efficient and safe for the long term.
### 2. **What will the additional revenue be used for?**
**Answer**: The additional funds will be directly invested in critical infrastructure projects, including the construction of a new and more efficient sewer treatment plant. This project will help us meet modern regulatory requirements and provide more reliable service to all customers.
### 3. **How long will this rate increase last?**
**Answer**: The rate increase is planned to be permanent in order to support long-term operational and maintenance costs. However, we continuously evaluate our financial needs, and the rate structure may be reviewed periodically to ensure fairness and efficiency.
### 4. **Why wasn’t this rate increase avoided earlier?**
**Answer**: While we've worked hard to keep rates low, rising operational costs, aging infrastructure, and new regulations have made the increase necessary. Postponing this investment could lead to even greater costs in the future, as delaying infrastructure upgrades risks more frequent and costly breakdowns or non-compliance penalties.
### 5. **Can the project be delayed to avoid the rate increase?**
**Answer**: Delaying the project would only lead to higher costs in the long run due to inflation, increased repair needs, and potential regulatory fines. By acting now, we can minimize the overall impact on customers while ensuring the reliability and safety of our system.
### 6. **What are the consequences of not upgrading the infrastructure?**
**Answer**: Without upgrading, we risk service disruptions, environmental violations, and potential health hazards due to outdated equipment. Additionally, maintenance costs on old infrastructure will continue to rise, ultimately resulting in higher costs for customers in the future.
### 7. **Will there be more rate increases in the future?**
**Answer**: While we strive to avoid frequent rate increases, future changes will depend on operational needs, regulatory requirements, and inflation. We are committed to transparency and will keep customers informed of any necessary adjustments to ensure the long-term stability of the system.
### 8. **How does our rate compare to other similar utilities?**
**Answer**: Even with the rate increase, our rates remain competitive with other utilities of similar size and structure in the region. We strive to provide reliable, high-quality service at the lowest cost possible while meeting regulatory standards and future needs.
### 9. **What is being done to improve efficiency and avoid future increases?**
**Answer**: The new sewer treatment plant will use the latest technology, which will reduce operational costs, increase efficiency, and lower the likelihood of future rate hikes. We are also continuously exploring other ways to improve operations and reduce expenses.
### 10. **Why is this happening now?**
**Answer**: Several factors, including regulatory changes, aging infrastructure, and growing operational costs, have made it necessary to act now. Postponing these upgrades would lead to greater expenses and service interruptions, affecting the reliability of the entire system.
### 11. **How does the utility decide when to raise rates?**
**Answer**: Rate changes are determined based on careful financial analysis, regulatory requirements, infrastructure needs, and customer feedback. The decision is made with the goal of balancing affordability for customers with the need to maintain and improve the system.
### 12. **What are the benefits of the new infrastructure to me as a customer?**
**Answer**: The new infrastructure will reduce the risk of service disruptions, improve system efficiency, and help keep rates stable in the future. It will also ensure that we meet all environmental and regulatory standards, protecting the community and the environment.