Tahlequah Public Works Authority Receives $1,758,603 Grant for System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Tahlequah Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,758,602.90 in funding on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water and wastewater infrastructure.  Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water and wastewater system will be financed by the OWRB American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $6,000,897 from the Cherokee Nation.

The Authority operates a water and wastewater system. As continued growth in the area increases demand on existing infrastructure, the Authority is undertaking critical improvements to expand system capacity and support future development. The proposed project includes replacing approximately 23,000 feet of aging 6-inch water line with a larger 12-inch water line along West 810 Road and constructing approximately 4,700 feet of new 8-inch sewer line along Highway 62. These improvements will enhance water delivery and help ensure reliable service for residents, businesses, and future growth in the community.

The project is estimated to cost $7,759,500.00 which will be funded by the OWRB Tribal ARPA Grant in the amount of $1,758,602.90 and $6,000,897.10 from the Cherokee Nation.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $2,769,000.00 when compared to traditional financing.

"Reliable water and sewer infrastructure is vital to growing communities and public health," said Senator Avery Frix, R-Muskogee. "This grant will improve water systems so that they can support the growing Tahlequah community for generations to come while continuing to ensure reliable access to water. The $6 million funding from the Cherokee Nation as well as an almost $2 million grant from ARPA will fund these upgrades and I am grateful to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Tahlequah Public Works Authority for understanding the great need for this project."

"Growth is a good thing, but it comes with the responsibility of state and local governments to guarantee we have appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the demands," said Representative Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah.  "I appreciate the commitment of the Cherokee Nation and the OWRB to ensure the water needs of the residents of Tahlequah are satisfied."

“We are grateful to State Senator Avery Frix and State Representative Bob Culver for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

The ARPA grant program is administered by the OWRB with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and appropriated through the American Rescue Plan Act grants program. This OWRB program has been structured to provide communities and other eligible entities with the financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems.

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.