The Jenks Public Works Authority Receives $8,950,000 Loan from the OWRB for Water System Improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Jenks Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $8,950,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their  water infrastructure.

The Authority is proactively addressing the need for repairs and improvements to its water system. The proposed projects include repairing the aerial waterline attached to a pedestrian bridge over the Arkansas River, which was damaged during a freeze in 2021, and developing a master plan for the water distribution system to extend water service to areas west of US Highway 75. Additionally, the Authority will relocate a waterline to accommodate a new road improvement project by Tulsa County. These initiatives are crucial to ensuring reliable water service and infrastructure resilience in Jenks.

According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $157,000 compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s  water, sewer, and a three-cent sales tax.

Local officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included Robert Carr, Assistant City Manager of Jenks. "This is our first time to appear before the board for a loan, but we will have more projects coming in the future," said Carr. "We appreciate your consideration and look forward to working with everyone."

“We are grateful to Oklahoma Legislators from the Jenks area for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB. 

Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $7.5 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.