Arkansas House OKs bill to address water standards fight

<br>(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- The Arkansas House has passed a bill intended to address a dispute between Oklahoma and Arkansas over water quality standards. <br><br>Oklahoma officials say tougher standards

Friday, February 21st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- The Arkansas House has passed a bill intended to address a dispute between Oklahoma and Arkansas over water quality standards.

Oklahoma officials say tougher standards are necessary to protect water quality in scenic rivers. The state's Water Resources Board is proposing a strict limit on the amount of phosphorous allowed in the rivers that flow from Arkansas into Oklahoma.

Arkansas officials say the proposed limit would hurt economic growth in the northwestern part of the state.

The bill approved Thursday gives sanitation authorities the power to begin public work projects, including collecting and disposing of wastewater and sludge.

The bill now goes to the Arkansas Senate.