The Granite Public Works Authority Receives $483,343 Water System Loan with Principal Forgiveness from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Granite Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $483,343 loan with 100% principal forgiveness on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’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 Authority operates a public water system and will use the funding to install approximately 500 new water meters equipped with automated metering infrastructure (AMI), which provides accurate, real-time water-use data. This technology will improve the efficiency of water system operations, enhance leak detection, and strengthen monitoring and control of key infrastructure. By reducing the need for manual meter reading, the project will give operators more time to focus on system maintenance and repairs. These upgrades will support long-term water reliability and help ensure the community continues to receive dependable, high-quality service.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $779,243 when compared to traditional financing.

“This investment will support Granite as the town replaces old water meters," said Senator Brent Howard, R-Altus. "This will ensure more accurate water metering, which will keep residents and local businesses from being overcharged on their monthly water bills. This project will also protect our valuable water resources by improving leak detection and preventing unnecessary water loss."

“This investment in Granite’s water infrastructure will improve efficiency, reduce water loss and help provide more reliable service for residents,” said Rep. Kendrix, R-Altus. “I appreciate the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s partnership in supporting critical improvements for rural Oklahoma.”

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 Brent Howard and State Representative Gerrid Kendrix 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 $8.6 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.