Wetumka Municipal Authority receives $1,099,999 in grant funds for improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Wetumka Municipal Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,099,999 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water and wastewater infrastructure.  The first request was for $1,000,000 and will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program with a second request totaling $99,999 funded through the OWRB Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant program.  

The Authority will use the ARPA proceeds for improvements to its water treatment plant. This project will include the replacement of filters, installation of new flow meters and SCADA system, and construction of a new chemical storage and feed pumps.  

REAP grant funds will address inflow and infiltration concerns within the system’s wastewater collection during heavy rain events. This project will replace approximately 800 linear feet of 8-inch sewer line, approximately three manholes, reconnect approximately 10 (ten) service connections, and perform surface repair. These improvements will reduce unintended flows to the wastewater treatment facility and prevent unpermitted discharges from wet weather.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save a combined estimated amount of $1,722,400 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 Greg McCortney and State Representative David Smith for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

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