Three Arkansas lawmakers are pushing legislation that would pay for the testing of Tontitown’s water supply.This follows recent concerns about air quality in the area.The push for water testing also comes as plans move forward to expand the “Eco Vista Waste Management Landfill.” House bill 1079 would allocate $1,046,553 for water testing. “This is a trust fund designed exactly for what we’re asking it do,” said Republican Rep. Steve Unger. “Do some water testing, monitoring, to find out what is going into the water table around the Tontitown landfill.”Unger said this means the money being spent comes from fees people are already paying in their trash bills. Students from the University of Arkansas would do the testing, if the bill is passed. The Tontitown mayor has also opposed the landfill expansion. “The citizens of Tontitown feel like this is long overdue,” Unger said.Unger sponsored the bill with Republicans Rep. Robin Lundtstrum and Sen. Clint Penzo. Unger, Lundstrum, and Penzo all represent parts of Tontitown. The bill was filed during the 2024 fiscal session. Lawmakers are considering Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ $6.3 billion proposed budget.The testing would take two years to complete but Unger said he expects to get updates sooner than that if anything remarkable shows up.
Three Arkansas lawmakers are pushing legislation that would pay for the testing of Tontitown’s water supply.
This follows recent concerns about air quality in the area.
The push for water testing also comes as plans move forward to expand the “Eco Vista Waste Management Landfill.”
House bill 1079 would allocate $1,046,553 for water testing.
“This is a trust fund designed exactly for what we’re asking it do,” said Republican Rep. Steve Unger. “Do some water testing, monitoring, to find out what is going into the water table around the Tontitown landfill.”
Unger said this means the money being spent comes from fees people are already paying in their trash bills.
Students from the University of Arkansas would do the testing, if the bill is passed.
The Tontitown mayor has also opposed the landfill expansion.
“The citizens of Tontitown feel like this is long overdue,” Unger said.
Unger sponsored the bill with Republicans Rep. Robin Lundtstrum and Sen. Clint Penzo. Unger, Lundstrum, and Penzo all represent parts of Tontitown.
The bill was filed during the 2024 fiscal session. Lawmakers are considering Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ $6.3 billion proposed budget.
The testing would take two years to complete but Unger said he expects to get updates sooner than that if anything remarkable shows up.
