OWRB Receives $25.9 Million for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grants Across Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) has received a legislative appropriation of more than $25.9 million to support water and wastewater infrastructure investments across Oklahoma.
The legislatively directed funding totaling $25,998,798 will support approximately 29 infrastructure projects across the state, with grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $5.5 million. Recipients include a range of rural water districts and municipal utility providers, such as the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust, Spencer Utility Authority, Rural Water District No. 21 (Osage County), Ralston Public Works Authority, and Copan Public Works Authority, among others. The projects receiving funding include waterline extensions, lift station construction, wastewater system improvements and other critical infrastructure needs.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB Financial Assistance Division, calculated that these grants will save Oklahoma communities and their customers an estimated $41,120,600 in principal and interest costs by eliminating the need to finance these projects through traditional borrowing.
“We thank the Legislators for their ongoing support of water and wastewater infrastructure across Oklahoma,” said Julie Cunningham, OWRB Executive Director. “By leveraging these funds into direct community investments, we are reducing long-term costs for ratepayers and helping communities modernize critical systems that serve as the foundation for growth and resilience.”
The funding is derived from interest earned by the State on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds while those dollars were held prior to disbursement to approved projects. The appropriation follows the advancement of ARPA-funded projects now nearing completion. All projects associated with the original ARPA funding must be completed by the end of calendar year 2026. The newly appropriated funds from ARPA interest earnings will not be subject to the same completion timeline.
Since 1983 the 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.
