Arkoma Municipal Authority Receives $400,000 Wastewater System Loan with 100% Principal Forgiveness from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Arkoma Municipal Authority (Authority) received approval for a $400,000 loan with 100% principal forgiveness Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s wastewater infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the wastewater system will be financed by the Oklahoma Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
The Authority will use the approved funds to address significant challenges within the wastewater system. The main lift station is nearing the end of its life expectancy, resulting in increasing maintenance costs. The proceeds will be used to conduct camera inspections of the sewer collection system’s piping and plan, design, and engineer the recommended improvements to the collection system and lift station. These improvements will help reduce unintended flows to the wastewater treatment facility.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $522,400 compared to traditional financing.
"I'm grateful that the City of Arkoma will receive this money to upgrade its sewer system. I'm hopeful that with better measuring, the residents will see some cost savings. It will ensure they have better infrastructure to meet their future needs,” said Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener. Thanks to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for approving this application and making this funding available."
“We are grateful to State Senator George Burns and State Representative Rick West for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
The CWSRF program is administered by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board with partial funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The CWSRF program has provided approximately $2.7 billion in water quality 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 $7.5 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
