South Delaware County Regional Water Authority receives $301,563 grant for system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The South Delaware County Regional Water Authority (Authority) received approval for $301,563 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 the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $416,500 in Cherokee Tribal matching funds, $694,000 from Indian Health Services (IHS), and $185,699.52 in local funds.   

These proceeds will be used for infrastructure needs to provide water service to unserved areas of the Authority. The improvements include the addition of approximately 22,900 feet of water line, an 8-inch bore under the Illinois River, six (6) road bores, three (3) pressure reducing stations, gate valves, air relief valves, and flush hydrants. 

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $459,700.00 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 4 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 $6.2 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.   

“We are grateful to State Senator Michael Bergstrom, State Senator Blake ‘Cowboy’ Stephens, State Representative Josh West, and State Representative David Hardin 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