Langston Public Works Authority receives $1,153,846 grant for water and wastewater system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Langston Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,153,846 in funding 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 systems will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.     

The Authority will utilize the proceeds to refurbish the existing treatment facilities, to extend current infrastructure into the west and northwest portions of Langston, and for the evaluation of gate valves and fire hydrants required to complete the project. These water and sanitary sewer improvements will target developed and underdeveloped areas of the system within the community which it serves.   

 Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,769,000 compared to traditional financing.   

The ARPA grant program is administered by the OWRB with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and appropriated through Senate Bill 13 for the Water and Wastewater American Rescue Plan Act grants program. This OWRB program has been structured to provide communities and other eligible entities financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems. Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $6.5 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.   

 “We are grateful to State Senator Chuck Hall and State Representative John Talley for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB. 

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