Rural Water District No. Two, Okmulgee County Receives $600,000 Grant for Water System Improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Rural Water District No. Two, Okmulgee County (District) received approval for $600,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s water infrastructure.  Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the OWRB American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with Muscogee Creek Tribal matching funds of $600,000.

The District's water distribution system has reached its capacity in certain areas, necessitating an upgrade to meet growing demands. The proposed project includes the installation of approximately 36,000 linear feet of water line, 8 gate valves, and the repair and installation of a 25x25-foot water tower and piping at pump station number two. These improvements will enhance the system's efficiency and reliability, ensuring it can adequately serve the community's needs.

Joe Freeman, Chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the District’s customers will save an estimated $996,800 compared to traditional financing.

“We are grateful to State Senator Roger Thompson and State Representative Scott Fetgatter for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

The ARPA grant program is administered by the OWRB with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and appropriated through the 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 $7.4 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.