Conway approves plan to pump raw water from Greers Ferry Lake to ease drought

Conway city leaders and the municipal utility approved measures to draw raw water from Greers Ferry Lake in an effort to ease drought conditions at Conway Lake, city officials said.

Officials described plans to run an untreated (raw) water main from a south-shore intake at Greers Ferry Lake and pump the water roughly 37 miles to the east side of Conway, where the city would install a treatment plant and then deliver treated water to customers. Municipal leaders said Greers Ferry Lake holds more than 900 billion gallons and that they do not anticipate concerns about taking water to help neighboring systems.

The move follows localized drought conditions at Brewer Lake that had led Conway Corp to enforce restrictions such as limits on lawn watering and car washing. Officials framed the plan as a regional cooperation step to lessen drought impacts while construction and treatment work proceed.

The broadcast did not include detailed engineering plans, construction timelines, or financing details; officials said the treatment plant will be built on Conway’s east side but did not provide a target completion date in the segments provided.