Geronimo Public Works Authority receives $800,000 water system funding from OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Geronimo Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $800,000 in funding 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 a 100% principal forgiveness loan through the Oklahoma Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).

The Authority will utilize the proceeds to replace approximately 7,240 linear feet of 6" PVC potable water line throughout the system. These improvements will ensure water pressure is maintained for residents and businesses within the Authority.

This project consists of the construction of 7,240 linear feet of six (6) inch PVC potable water line and all appurtenances to serve the City of Geronimo.  This project will replace old and deteriorated water lines.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,211,900 compared to traditional financing.   The DWSRF program is administered by the OWRB and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) with partial funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The DWSRF program has provided approximately $2.0 billion in drinking water loans to provide communities 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 $6.2 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.

Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB, and Scott Thompson, Executive Director of the ODEQ, express their sincere appreciation to State Senator Chris Kidd and Representative Trey Caldwell for their support of the DWSRF program.

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Contacts:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov 

Eddie Rhandour
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
(405) 702-8100
Eddie.Rhandour@deq.ok.gov