Wastewater Department
Sewer service and wastewater treatment
The sanitary sewer provider for the City of Benton. Treated water is released only after it meets ADEQ and EPA standards, which it consistently exceeds.
The conveyance system
From your drain to the treatment plant
Sewer mains, lift stations and manholes carry wastewater from homes, businesses and industries to the plant. Crews respond to service calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- 400+ miles
of sewer main, 4 to 36 inches across
- 140
lift (pump) stations
- 5,000
manholes, nearly
- 8.3 MGD
treatment plant design capacity
Prevent backups
Only flush toilet paper. Can the grease.
"Flushable" wipes, baby wipes, paper towels and disposable mop heads do not break down. With cooking oil and grease, they block pipes, clog pumps and cause backups and overflows. A blockage in your private service line is a cost you pay.
- Pour cooking oil and grease into an empty can and throw it in the trash.
- Have a sewer backflow preventer installed on your service line. A licensed plumber is recommended.
- Add a cleanout popper if your line has a cleanout. It relieves pressure in the yard before sewage reaches your home.
Who is responsible for what
Benton Utilities maintains the sewer mains. The customer is responsible for the service line up to where it enters the main (City of Benton Ordinance 19 of 1995). Damage from a sewer backup is the property owner's responsibility, even when the city main backs up.
Sewer problem? Call us first.
Call 501-776-5930 before you call a plumber. An on-call technician will help find the source, which can save you time and money.
Treatment plant
How wastewater is cleaned
The plant is staffed 24 hours a day by a manager, a foreman, a chemist and eight operators. It is closed to the public after office hours.
Screening
Fine screens remove rags and trash, which go to the landfill.
Aeration
Air and natural bacteria break down organic matter in two aeration basins.
Clarifying
Three clarifiers settle the solids. Most are returned to keep the process working.
UV disinfection
Ultraviolet light disinfects the water before it is released to Depot Creek.
Investing in the system
Fewer overflows in heavy rain
The 57-million-gallon equalization basin, in service since 2007, holds up to eight days of inflow so the plant can manage wet-weather peaks. All requirements of the 2005 state consent order were met and it was formally closed in August 2025.
- Pipe bursting replaces thousands of feet of old sewer pipe each year.
- Smoke testing and video cameras find leaks in mains, manholes and service lines.
- Four backup generators keep the plant running if commercial power is lost.
- Treated biosolids are dried into a Class A soil conditioner.
FAQ
Wastewater questions
What should I do if a manhole is overflowing?
Call 501-776-5930 and stay away from the overflow. A crew will be dispatched.
Who is responsible for my sewer service line?
Benton Utilities maintains the sewer mains. The customer is responsible for the service line up to where it enters the main (City of Benton Ordinance 19 of 1995).
How is my sewer bill calculated?
Residential sewer charges use your Average Winter Consumption (AWC), the average of your actual water use from October through March. Call 501-776-5930 for help with your bill.
Can I flush wipes labeled flushable?
No. Only flush toilet paper. Wipes, paper towels and grease block pipes, clog pumps and cause backups.