The Porter Public Works Authority Receives $947,500 Grant for Water System Improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Porter Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $947,500 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’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 Muskogee Creek matching funds of $947,500 and Wagoner County ARPA funds of $2,114,847.14.

The Authority operates a public water supply system serving the residents of Porter, OK. The main pipeline that the system receives water from fails frequently and is a health concern for the community. The proposed project will replace the failing pipe with 38,840 linear feet of 6-inch PVC watermain, ensuring a safer and more reliable water supply for Porter residents.

Joe Freeman, Chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,474,300 compared to traditional financing.

“We are grateful to State Senator Blake "Cowboy" Stephens and State Representative Kevin McDugle 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.