Hensley, Arkansas, is an unincorporated community in the central part of the Natural State, approximately 18 miles south of Little Rock. Maple Creek Farms Sewer and Improvement District, a platted subdivision in southeastern Saline County located within Hensley, has faced its share of challenges in maintaining its wastewater infrastructure. Established in the early 1980s, the district was developed to serve an area where many properties were large enough for septic tank systems, but not all land was suitable for such setups. Today, of the 400 single-family homes and 20 multi-family units in the subdivision, only 220 are connected to the sewer system.

Despite having a treatment plant operating at just half its designed capacity, maintaining the system has been a persistent struggle. The district, which operates with revenue from Saline County property taxes, faced a financial shortfall in 2024 after completing a critical lift and pump station rehabilitation. This project was necessary after a major pump failure in August 2023, which risked shutting down the entire wastewater treatment system.

The pump failure exposed deep-seated issues within the system.
The pump failure exposed deep-seated issues within the system.

The pump failure exposed deep-seated issues within the system. Years of sludge buildup had accumulated in the well, reaching dangerous levels and leading to the breakdown of vital equipment. The district removed eight feet of sludge and discovered that the pump attachment rails were broken and bent beyond repair. With no immediate funding available, Maple Creek Farms faced a crisis. The repair process required purchasing a new pump with enhanced features designed to push sludge back out, extending its longevity. Additionally, to prevent future failures, the district invested in a second pump to serve as a backup and reduce the overall workload on the system. The district also incurred costs for renting a temporary pump and covering fuel expenses during the repair.

As the district faced mounting financial strain, Board Chairman John Hern searched for lending institutions willing to help with an infrastructure loan. Traditional banks rejected their applications, as sewer systems don’t provide the kind of collateral lenders typically require.

In desperation, Hern turned to an online search on the Internet, leading him to Communities Unlimited (CU).
In desperation, Hern turned to an online search on the Internet, leading him to Communities Unlimited (CU).

“We weren’t mortgaging a home — our only collateral was a sewer system already in debt, which banks didn’t see as a good investment,” Hern said. “I made the call to (CU), and that’s how it all started.”

In March 2024, CU provided a $50,000 infrastructure loan to Maple Creek Farms, allowing the district to replenish its operational funding after spending its reserves on the pump station repairs. The assistance enabled them to keep the sewer plant running within governmental standards, reducing the risk of further sewage spills into nearby properties and streams.

“The loan made the difference between keeping the system running and facing bankruptcy — or worse,” Hern said.

Despite the immediate relief from CU’s support, the challenges for Maple Creek Farms were far from over.
Despite the immediate relief from CU’s support, the challenges for Maple Creek Farms were far from over.

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) placed the system under an Administrative Consent Order, requiring further improvements. The district needed to repair the

gearbox on its clarifier and replace filtration media. While the filtration media could wait until late 2025, the gearbox repair was urgent. A contractor quoted the repair at $29,900, with the district contributing $9,900 from its funds. CU provided a second infrastructure loan of $20,000 to cover the remaining cost, ensuring the system stayed on track toward compliance.

“The best part is having a resource like you all — someone we can call for help without dealing with the bureaucracy of a state agency. We worked with you on what was a relatively small loan, but when you deal with other agencies, they don’t even want to talk to you unless you need millions of dollars.”

With CU’s assistance, Maple Creek Farms is making steady progress in meeting state compliance requirements and stabilizing its financial footing. The district is working on a rate increase with CU’s Community Infrastructure Team to ensure long-term sustainability and has hired an engineering company to guide future improvements.

Once the required repairs are complete, the Arkansas Department of Health will remove Maple Creek from the “no new connections” list, allowing for growth and new customers.
Once the required repairs are complete, the Arkansas Department of Health will remove Maple Creek from the “no new connections” list, allowing for growth and new customers.

“The second infrastructure loan came at a crucial time, allowing us to keep things running while we work toward compliance with state regulations,” Hern said. “Our goal is to avoid having the health department and ADEQ on our backs. I appreciate everything you all have done for us.”

CU’s ability to step in quickly for small communities like Maple Creek Farms highlights the importance of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Unlike traditional lenders, CU focuses on filling the gap left by banks that often reject borrowers due to a lack of collateral or insufficient profit potential. CU’s CDFI water and wastewater infrastructure lending program is the largest in the country, with a 24-hour response time for critical infrastructure crises — compared to the months-long process required by other agencies.

For Maple Creek Farms, CU’s swift and targeted financial relief has meant the difference between crisis and progress. With ongoing improvements, the district is on track to ensuring that its wastewater infrastructure remains reliable for decades to come.