The Stringtown Public Works Authority receives $1,000,000 grant for system improvements
OKLAHOMA CITY –The Stringtown Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,000,000 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 Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $1,000,000 in Choctaw Nation matching funds.
The Authority owns and operates a public water supply system which serves the town of Stringtown and surrounding areas. These proceeds will be used to install a jet style mixer inside of the standpipe along with a power vent located on top of the tank. Additionally, the project will include the rehabilitation of pump stations with the addition of automatic transfer switches and generators at two locations, to rebore watermain under 3 (three) creek crossings, and replace 5,000 linear feet of water line. Disinfecting drinking water has reduced airborne disease dramatically. However, byproducts which may result by the disinfection can sometimes have unintended effects. Therefore, by addressing this issue, this project helps to meet the public health goals for the state.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,538,400 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 State Senator David Bullard and State Representative Charles McCall for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
"The award of the OWRB ARPA Grant, and matching Choctaw Tribal Grant, to the Stringtown Public Works Authority will be a huge benefit to the citizens served by the Authority," Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said. "Modernizing the equipment used to deliver water to the citizens of Stringtown, and the surrounding areas, will help as our part of the state continues to grow in population. I am thankful to the OWRB and Choctaw Nation for getting this project approved and moving forward."
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Contact:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov
