Perkins Public Works Authority Receives $1,077,000 Loan for Water and Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Perkins Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $1,077,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Authority operates water and wastewater systems serving the Perkins community. The funded project will replace nearly 4,600 feet of aging drinking water lines to connect a new elevated water storage tank currently under construction and improve the overall reliability of the water distribution system. Funding will also reimburse the cost of emergency repairs to collapsed sewer lines that were critical to maintaining wastewater service. Together, these improvements will reduce the risk of service interruptions, strengthen system performance, and support the continued delivery of safe and reliable water and wastewater services. The project represents an important investment in modernizing essential infrastructure and meeting the community’s long-term utility needs.
The estimated cost is $1,077,000.00, which will be funded by the Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan of $1,077,000.00.
According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $156,200 compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water and sewer services, as well as a 1 cent sales tax.
Local officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included City Manager Robert Ernst. “We appreciate the opportunity to be here,” said Ernst. “This wouldn’t be possible without the low interest rate. Thank you very much.”
“We are grateful to State Senator Randy Grellner and State Representative Jim Shaw 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 $8.7 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.
