Waukomis Public Works Authority receives $79,900 grant for wastewater system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Waukomis Public Works Authority (Authority) in Garfield County received approval for a $79,900 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s wastewater infrastructure.

The Authority owns and operates a sanitary sewer collection and treatment system which does not meet regulatory requirements because of the absence of a reliable emergency operation system. These proceeds will be used to install a standby generator for the lift station.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $139,800 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds. 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 Senator Roland Pederson and Representative Mike Dobrinski for their continued support of water and wastewater infrastructure funding in Oklahoma,” said Julie Cunningham, OWRB Executive Director.

Representative Dobrinski stated, “I greatly appreciate the funding and support provided to our rural communities to maintain their critical infrastructure. In many cases, this is the only way our smaller towns can continue providing necessary services to our rural residents." 

“Having this grant funding approved is great news for the citizens of Waukomis and ensures this necessary sanitation system upgrade is completed to bring the community into compliance with regulatory requirements,” Senator Pederson said. “It’s imperative that all Oklahoma communities, especially our smaller, rural ones, have safe, efficient, and updated infrastructure and public services. I’m grateful to the OWRB for recognizing this town’s need and helping local leaders address it.”  
 

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