The Pittsburg County Public Works Authority and Haileyville Public Works Authority, each, receive $1,000,000 grant for system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Pittsburg County Public Works Authority (Pittsburg Authority) and the Haileyville Public Works Authority (Haileyville Authority), each, received approval for $1,000,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authorities’ system infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.

The Pittsburg Authority operates a water treatment plant (WTP) and distribution system that services the north east part of Pittsburg County, including the town of Crowder. The system has older steel lines which are failing, resulting in high maintenance costs. These proceeds will be used to replace 5,000 linear feet of water line with PVC water line, 50 gate valves and service connections, and perform other improvements to the WTP.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Pittsburg Authority customers will save an estimated $1,553,200 compared to traditional financing.

The Haileyville Authority owns and operates a sewer system that serves the residents of Haileyville. These proceeds will be use to replace 5,000 linear feet of 8-inch sewer line, replace 13 manholes, reconnect 50 service connections, and perform surface repair and wastewater plant improvements.These improvements will address inflow and infiltration into the sewer collection system thereby reducing unintended flows to the wastewater treatment facility and preventing unintended discharges from wet weather.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Haileyville customers will save an estimated $1,553,200.

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 $7.1 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.

“We are grateful to State Senator Warren Hamilton and State Representative Jim Grego for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

Senator Hamilton stated, “These grants from the OWRB will go a long way in repairing, upgrading, and modernizing critical water and wastewater infrastructure.  I would like to thank everyone involved who made this happen.”

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