Town of Tatums Receives $80,000 REAP Grant for Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB

The Town of Tatums (Town) in Carter County received approval for an $80,000 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Town’s Wastewater infrastructure.

The Town operates a public wastewater collection system that has seen limited maintenance since its construction in 1982, with the exception of lift station upgrades in 2021. Recently, the Town has faced challenges to maintain flow measurement devices in proper working order. To address this and improve system monitoring, the Town proposes to install a flow meter with vault and SCADA system, along with all necessary appurtenances. The total cost of the project is $80,000, which will be fully funded by an OWRB REAP grant. This upgrade will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and enhance the reliability of the wastewater system.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $139,900 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

“We are grateful to Senator Jerry Alvord and Representative Tammy Townley for their continued support of water and wastewater infrastructure funding in Oklahoma,” said Julie Cunningham, OWRB Executive Director.

Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $7.7 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.