Cleveland County Rural Water, Sewer, Gas and Solid Waste Management District No. 1 Receives $999,999 Water System Loan with Principal Forgiveness from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Cleveland County Rural Water, Sewer, Gas and Solid Waste Management District No. 1 (District) received approval for a $999,999 loan with 100% principal forgiveness on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s water infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
The District operates a public water distribution system and is undertaking improvements to enhance water quality and system efficiency. The project will construct approximately 64,000 feet of new water lines to connect and extend portions of the existing system while also eliminating dead-end lines. By improving circulation throughout the distribution network, the project will help deliver fresher water to customers and reduce the need for routine flushing, conserving water and lowering operational costs. These improvements will strengthen system reliability, support long-term water quality, and provide lasting benefits for residents and businesses throughout the District.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the District’s customers will save an estimated $1,581,300 when compared to traditional financing.
“On behalf of Senate District 16, I want to thank the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for approving nearly $1 million for this vital project,” said Senator Mary Boren, D-Norman. “I’m especially grateful to our Cleveland County officials who devoted so much care to preparing this application, and to the professionals who reviewed it with such thoughtful attention. This investment meets our community’s water needs today and encourages our ongoing stewardship of natural resources. The people in my district believe protecting and conserving our water is one of the most important commitments we can make to future generations. I’m encouraged by the behind-the-scenes teamwork that made this investment possible.”
“Access to safe, reliable drinking water is something every family deserves," Representative Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, said. "I'm grateful for this investment and thankful for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for supporting this project to improve our water quality and for helping to make sure our rural communities have the infrastructure they need to continue growing and thriving."
Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB, and Rob Singletary, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), express their sincere appreciation to State Senator Lisa Stanridge, State Senator Mary Boren, State Senator Kendal Sacchieri, State Representative Annie Menz and State Representative Cynthia Roe for their support of the DWSRF program.
The DWSRF program is administered by the OWRB and ODEQ with partial funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The DWSRF program has provided approximately $2.5 billion in drinking water loans to provide communities with the resources necessary to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects our valuable water resources statewide.
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $8.7 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.
