The Blair Public Works Authority Receives $300,000 Emergency Grant for Water System Repairs from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Blair Public Works Authority (Authority) in Jackson County received approval for a $300,000 Emergency Grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to repair the Authority’s water infrastructure.
The Authority operates a water system serving the community of Blair. The ongoing drought conditions have resulted in a complete loss of water from one of the Authority’s wells, affecting the reliability of the community’s water supply. The proposed project will construct a new municipal water supply well along with all appurtenances required to complete the project. This will restore water supply capacity and support a reliable and sustainable source of drinking water for the community.
The estimated cost of the project is $300,000, which will be funded by the OWRB Emergency Grant in the amount of $300,000.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $520,400 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.
"This emergency grant will provide critical support for the Blair Public Works Authority as it responds to ongoing drought conditions and the resulting loss of a municipal well,” said Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus. “Constructing a new water supply well will help strengthen the reliability of the community’s water system and ensure residents have dependable access to water as we continue to face this drought."
“We are grateful to Senator Brent Howard and Representative Gerrid Kendrix for their continued support of water and wastewater infrastructure funding in Oklahoma,” said Julie Cunningham, OWRB Executive Director.
Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $9.3 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
Established in 1957, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) serves as the state’s water resources planning and development agency. A nine-member Board oversees the OWRB, with members appointed by the Governor to represent nine geographic regions and water-use sectors. The OWRB is committed to managing, protecting, and improving Oklahoma’s water resources to meet long-term water supply, water quality, flood mitigation, and infrastructure needs. For more information, visit Oklahoma.gov/owrb.
