Fort Smith, Ark. – Construction is progressing steadily on Fort Smith’s Sub-Basin S006 and SK01 wastewater improvement project, part of the city’s ongoing efforts under a federal Consent Decree to reduce sewer overflows.
The project, officially titled SSA Remedial Measures Sub-Basin S006 and Capacity Improvements Sub-Basin SK01 – HDD, began in October 2024 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
According to the City of Fort Smith, the work involves several phases of underground infrastructure installation using both Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and open cut excavation methods.
So far, crews have completed 400 linear feet (LF) of 8-inch diameter pipe installation using HDD and 14 LF through open cut excavation. As part of the system overhaul, two existing manholes have been removed and three new manholes have been installed.
The full scope of the project includes installing approximately 110 LF of 24-inch diameter casing via HDD, followed by 110 LF of 8-inch diameter pipe placed inside that casing. In total, 690 LF of new 8-inch pipe will be installed using a combination of HDD and open cut.
The project is being designed by RJN Group and constructed by Patriot Utilities, with an estimated total cost just under $1 million—$999,589.50 to be exact. As of now, the city reports that the project is on track to meet its scheduled completion date of December 31, 2025.
These improvements are part of Fort Smith’s broader strategy to comply with federal mandates aimed at addressing long-standing issues within the city’s sewer system. The Sub-Basin S006 and SK01 areas were identified as priority zones due to capacity concerns and aging infrastructure.
City officials continue to monitor the project’s progress closely and expect it to contribute significantly to reducing sanitary sewer overflows and enhancing long-term system reliability.