The Miami Special Utility Authority receives $2,000,000 grant for system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Miami Special Utility Authority (Authority) received approval for $2,000,000 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 the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $2,000,000 in local funds.

The Authority’s drinking water system includes approximately 130 miles of cast iron and PVC waterlines, nine (9) active wells, four (4) elevated towers, and two (2) ground storage tanks. These proceeds will be used to construct a new 300,0000-gallon elevated water storage tank, make improvements to the disinfection system, and add a water line extension to loop two dead ends within the system. This project will improve water pressure for customers of the Authority and improve disinfection residuals.  

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $3,027,900 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 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 $6.9 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.

“We are grateful to State Senator Micheal Bergstrom and State Representative Steve Bashore 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