The Inola Public Works Authority receives $250,000 grant for wastewater system improvements
OKLAHOMA CITY –The Inola Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $250,000 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 in addition to $250,000 in Muscogee-Creek Nation funds, $339,000 in Indian Health Services funds, and $750,000 in Rogers County ARPA funds.
The Authority owns and operates a wastewater treatment system. The Green Valley Lift Station has reached the end of its useful life expectancy no longer meeting current ODEQ standards. The proposed project is to construct a new deeper and larger wet well to provide emergency storage, new pumps and piping, replacing approximately 2,750 LF of 8-inch force main.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $410,900 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 $7.4 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State Senator Blake "Cowboy" Stephens and State Representative Tom Gann for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
“I appreciate the work of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and those partnering with them to provide these needed upgrades to Inola's wastewater system, which will improve the development efforts within our entire community.” Rep Tom Gann
"I'm incredibly appreciative of our state, tribal, and county leaders for their work to make necessary investments in our area infrastructure. Their efforts will ensure Inola's water systems are safe and sanitary for many years to come. I look forward to the completion of these projects that will greatly benefit the City of Inola and its residents." Sen. Blake Cowboy Stephens, R-Tahlequah.
####
Contact:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov
