Pawnee Public Works Authority receives $999,994 grant for system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Pawnee Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $999,994 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.

The Authority owns and  operates a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) which is in need of rehabilitation. These proceeds will be used to repair or replace components within the WWTP to include pumps, aerators, a grit removal system, and a mechanical bar screen. 

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,531,800 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 Chuck Hall and State Representative Ty Burns for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

“Thanks to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for helping Pawnee repair its aging wastewater treatment plant,” said Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry. “This project has been a long time coming, and every bit of funding helps restore this crucial infrastructure.”

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