OKLAHOMA CITY –The City of Sallisaw (City) received approval for $626,461 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the City’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 $652,031.70 in local funds.
The City owns and operates a water distribution system (System) with a dead end waterline. This creates the need for increased line flushing and decreases system effeciency. These proceeds will be used to add approximately 10,480 linear feet of 12-inch waterline for system looping.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the City’s customers will save an estimated $974,900 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 with the financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems. Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $7.3 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State Senator Tom Woods, State Senator Warren Hamilton, and State Representative Jim Olsen for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
“I extend my sincere congratulations to the City of Sallisaw for their successful grant award from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Access to clean and reliable water is crucial for the well-being of our communities, and this grant will significantly enhance water infrastructure in Sallisaw,” stated Senator Tom Woods.
Representative Jim Olsen shared, "Critical and basic infrastructure is absolutely a core function of government, so I am very thankful that this grant is now approved. This will be a big help to our local area."
####
Contact:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov
