Delaware County Rural Water District No. 12 Receives $109,360 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Rural Water District No. 12, Delaware County, Oklahoma (District) in Delaware County received approval for a $109,360 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s water infrastructure.

The District operates a water distribution system that is experiencing challenges with low water pressure due to numerous leaks. To improve service reliability, the District aims to enhance leak detection and maintain consistent water pressure. The proposed project will install 204 meters and 4 telemetry units, which will allow for more efficient monitoring of the system. The estimated cost of the project is $109,360.00 which will be funded by the OWRB REAP Grant of $109,360.00.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $196,500 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

“Reliable water systems are critical to the integrity of any rural water system,” said Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair. “This project is a smart, targeted step toward modernizing essential infrastructure in Delaware County, and I applaud the water district and the OWRB for their proactive efforts.”

“Strong communities start with strong infrastructure,” Rep. David Hardin, R-Stillwell, said. “By tackling water pressure issues and stopping leaks in their tracks, Delaware County Rural Water District #12 is making sure folks can rely on clean, consistent water every day. I’m proud to see state and local partners like the OWRB and GGEDA step up to support smart, forward-looking projects that keep rural Oklahoma thriving.”

“We are grateful to Senators Julie McIntosh and Tom Woods and Representative David Hardin 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 $8.2 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.