OKLAHOMA CITY –The Atoka Municipal Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,000,000 in funding 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 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $849,916 in local funds.
The Authority owns and operates a wastewater collection system and treatment facility. These proceeds will be used to construct a new headworks with a two-channeled unit capable of independent operation. This project will reduce operation time required of system personnel at the primary lift station.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,553,200 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 with the financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems. Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $7.1 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State Senator David Bullard and State Representative Charles McCall for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
“This project is one of extreme importance to the people of Atoka and the employees of our wastewater treatment facility," Speaker Charles McCall said. "The allocation of American Rescue Plan Act dollars, combined with local funds, will allow an automated screening and grit removal system to be built, saving workers time and providing a measurable benefit to the citizens of Atoka."
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Contact:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov
