Chelsea Economic Development Authority Receives $2,000,000 in Water System Funding from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Chelsea Economic Development Authority (Authority) received approval for $2,000,000 in funding, including $800,000 in principal forgiveness, on 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 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).

The Authority will utilize project funding to construct a new 36-foot diameter solids contact clarifier with a rated capacity of 650 gallons per minute (gpm), along with all necessary appurtenances. This project is a critical step in enhancing the operational reliability and performance of the community’s surface water treatment plant. Once complete, this project will help the Authority maintain compliance with state construction standards and meet the requirements of the Surface Water Treatment Rule—regulations designed to protect public health by minimizing the presence of harmful pathogens in treated water. The investment will also improve water quality, enhance treatment reliability, and support the long-term well-being of Chelsea residents and businesses.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,654,000 compared to traditional financing. The DWSRF loan will be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer and sanitation services, as well as a 3 cent sales tax.

Chelsea Economic Development Authority’s officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included Administrator Mike Wooten and Christie Hillsbury, administrative assistant. “Thank you for your consideration,” said Hillsbury while addressing the Board.

“This investment in Chelsea’s water treatment infrastructure will directly address longstanding regulatory challenges while ensuring safe, dependable water service for the community,” said Sen. Michael Bergstrom. “I commend local officials and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for prioritizing public health through sound, sustainable infrastructure upgrades.”

"This investment will help the Chelsea Economic Development Authority tackle a critical water treatment issue and improve access to clean, reliable drinking water for local families," said Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita. "I’m grateful to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for supporting projects like this that protect public health and strengthen the foundation of our rural communities."

Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB, and Rob Singletary, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), express their sincere appreciation to State Senator Micheal Bergstrom and State Representative Rusty Cornwell for their support of the DWSRF program.

The DWSRF program is administered by the OWRB and ODEQ with partial funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The DWSRF program has provided approximately $2.4 billion in drinking water loans to provide communities with the resources necessary to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects our valuable water resources statewide.

Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $8.2 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.