Watonga Public Works Authority receives $14,000,000 loan from the OWRB for water and wastewater system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY – Watonga Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $14,000,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve it water and wastewater infrastructure.   

The Authority will use these proceeds to construct a new ion exchange nitrate removal system and a salt storage system for the water treatment plant. In addition, funding will provide planning and design and construction of a new administration and operations building, a grit removal facility, and a digestion system for the wastewater treatment plant.   

According to Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $3,647,800 over the life of the 31-year loan compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, electric, sewer, and sanitation systems, and a mortgage.

Watonga’s Mayor, Bill Seitter, stated, “We have done a lot lately and continue to move forward on our water and wastewater system improvements. We appreciate the Board’s consideration as we move toward the next steps.”   

Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $6.4 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.         

“We are grateful to Senator Darcy Jech and Representative Mike Dobrinski for their 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