Broken Arrow Municipal Authority Receives $27,930,000 Loan for Water and Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – Broken Arrow Municipal Authority (Authority) received approval for a $27,930,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.

The Authority evaluates its utility infrastructure annually to ensure it is delivering safe drinking water and maintaining proper municipal wastewater treatment for its customers. This evaluation includes an analysis of upcoming and ongoing projects the Authority identifies as necessary investments to maintain water and wastewater quality called the Water Utilities Capital Improvements Program. This loan will be used to fund approximately 15 projects from the Water Utilities Capital Improvements Program for Fiscal Year 2027.

The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer, and sanitation services and a 1 cent sales tax.

Local officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included Broken Arrow’s Finance Director Cindy Arnold. “I just want to thank the OWRB’s Board. You guys have been working with… us forever, and we appreciate your consideration on this loan,” said Arnold.

"This is a massive investment in Broken Arrow’s critical infrastructure that will meet residents' needs while also supporting growth as more people discover what makes this city so great,” Senator Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, said. “Without this financial support from the state, the city couldn’t afford some of the necessary improvements and extensions to our water systems. Reliable water and wastewater services are the foundation of any growing city, and these improvements will ensure Broken Arrow is prepared for a bright future.”

"This is an incredibly valuable investment that will provide residents with safe drinking water while upgrading local water and wastewater infrastructure through a variety of projects as part of the Capital Improvements Program,” said Senator. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow. “These advancements will better support Broken Arrow's growing community and ensure long-term access to clean water for years to come."

"Investing in clean water and improving the efficiency of Broken Arrow's wastewater infrastructure is necessary, and I appreciate OWRB making this funding available to carry this project forward," Representative Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, said.

"These funds will allow Broken Arrow to proactively upgrade its water and wastewater system so they can reliably meet today's demands while preparing for tomorrow's growth,” said Representative Stan May, R-Broken Arrow. “I appreciate the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for investing in projects that will benefit our community for years to come."

"I am thankful the Oklahoma Water Resources Board approved this investment, as it will help the city complete 30 different projects to support continued access to safe drinking water for our community," Representative T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, said. "These projects are responsible, forward-looking investments that will help meet our city’s needs well into the future."

"Keeping a city like Broken Arrow running well takes continued attention to the systems people rely on every day," Representative Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, said. "This investment will help us tackle projects that have already been identified as priorities and make improvements where they’re needed most. It’s about taking care of what we have today while making sure our community is ready for what comes next."

“We are grateful to State Senator Christi Gillespie, State Senator Brian Guthrie, State Senator John Haste, State Senator Julie McIntosh, State Representative Ross Ford, State Representative Stan May, State Representative T.J. Marti, State Representative Gabe Woolley and State Representative Mark Chapman for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $8.75 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.