Depew Public Works Authority receives $99,000 grant for water system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Depew Public Works Authority (Authority) in Creek County received approval for a $99,000 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure.

The grant funds will be used to replace fourteen of the fire hydrants in the water distribution system that have reached the end of their useful life. The estimated cost of the project is $99,000.00 and will be funded entirely by the OWRB REAP Grant.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $172,800 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds. 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 Senators Todd Gollihare and Roger Thompson and Representative Kyle Hilbert for their continued support of water and wastewater infrastructure funding in Oklahoma,” said Julie Cunningham, OWRB Executive Director.

"This grant presents an amazing opportunity for the Depew Public Works Authority to invest in a much-needed upgrade to their fire hydrants," House Pro Tem Kyle Hilbert said. "However, this isn’t just about replacing hydrants. Rather, it's an assurance of reliability and peace of mind for the Depew community for years to come. Thank you to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for their approval of this grant and the continued work they do to support water infrastructure in all corners of the state." 

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Contact: Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov