The Lawton Water Authority receives $2,000,000 grant for system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Lawton Water Authority (Authority) received approval for $2,000,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water and wastewater infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water and wastewater system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $3,000,000 in local funds.

The Authority owns and operates a water distribution system and wastewater system. Water and wastewater lines, scattered throughout both systems, are experiencing high break rates and operational problems at the wastewater treatment plant due to thickening sludge. These proceeds will be used to replace water and wastewater lines in the affected areas and to construct a dewatering facility at the wastewater treatment plant.  

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $3,097,400 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 Oklahoma Legislators from the Lawton area for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

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