Wabbaseka, Arkansas, a small town in the southeastern part of the state, holds deep historical roots within Jefferson County. With a population of about 200 residents, Wabbaseka is the kind of place where everyone knows one another, and the challenges the town faces are often felt by the entire community.

Surrounding towns like Altheimer to the north, Pine Bluff to the southwest, and Stuttgart to the northeast offer nearby connections, but Wabbaseka itself remains distinct with its own unique identity. Situated approximately 16 miles southwest of the Grand Prairie region, the town’s landscape is marked by agricultural history and the hardworking spirit of its people.

For years, Wabbaseka has struggled with the burden of an outdated water system that has seen better days. The city, under the leadership of Mayor Andrew Goodloe, has battled numerous challenges in retaining water operators, managing worn-out pipes, and finding sustainable solutions for the community’s needs.

“The system has failed, and it’s been that way for years,” Mayor Goodloe said. “We don’t have the population to maintain it, and it’s no longer affordable. It’s been a liability for us for years, and it’s time to try something different.”

Recognizing the severity of the problem, the City of Wabbaseka sought help from Communities Unlimited (CU) to explore new opportunities for a reliable water system. CU’s Community Infrastructure Team, with Arkansas State Coordinator Tonya Kendrix at the helm, stepped in to support the town in its search for a sustainable solution.

One potential avenue was regionalizing Wabbaseka’s water system with neighboring communities such as Altheimer and Humphrey. However, despite Mayor Goodloe’s efforts, those towns chose not to pursue a joint venture, leaving Wabbaseka at a crossroads.

Despite the setback, Mayor Goodloe remained steadfast in his commitment to improving Wabbaseka’s water infrastructure. In a hands-on approach, he visited every household in Wabbaseka, often working late into the night, to gather residents’ input on the possibility of regionalizing their water system with Grand Prairie. His efforts paid off when about 90% of the town’s residents supported the idea.

“We did a survey, and it was pretty much unanimous for the town to move forward with regionalization,” Goodloe said. “It shouldn’t be that hard, but there always seems to be one hurdle after another.”

Persistence won the day, as the funding agency ultimately approved a project to regionalize Wabbaseka’s water system with Grand Prairie, despite the earlier stipulation that all three communities must regionalize together. Now, the town is in the final stages of initiating the regionalization process with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC). Additionally, CU has submitted an application for $667,000 to fund much-needed wastewater improvements for the town.

One of the unique aspects of Wabbaseka is its wastewater facility, which, in years past, implemented an unusual but innovative approach. The facility was set up to use treated wastewater to irrigate fields for wheat production, with operators harvesting and selling the wheat for additional revenue.

The facility, like much of the town’s infrastructure, is now in disrepair and dire need of an overhaul.

Mayor Goodloe, who was born and raised in Wabbaseka, has a deep connection to the town.

“I’ve been here all my life,” Mayor Goodloe said. “I used to serve on the City Council about 22 years ago, and I could see the need for things that weren’t being addressed. Clean, affordable drinking water is one of those needs.”

His vision for Wabbaseka extends beyond just fixing the water system. He dreams of revitalizing the town’s housing, addressing the many abandoned homes, and even creating new business opportunities.

One of the key reasons Wabbaseka has made progress is the support from CU and Tonya, who has been a crucial partner throughout the process.

“Tonya has been some kind of help,” Mayor Goodloe said. “She’s been wonderful. I don’t know if we could have made it this far without her. She’s been there for us, guiding us in the right direction. We’ve been dependent on her.”

While there is still much work to be done, the road ahead is filled with possibilities. With the water system on its way to improvement, the town can begin to focus on its next chapter — one that includes housing development, business growth, and a renewed sense of pride in this small but mighty Arkansas town.