Francis Public Works Authority Receives $80,000 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Francis Public Works Authority (Authority) in Pontotoc County received approval for an $80,000 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure.

The Authority operates a water treatment plant that is in need of upgrades to maintain reliable operations and ensure the continued delivery of safe drinking water. To improve system performance and emergency preparedness, the proposed project will include the installation of a backup generator, propane tank, and a pH analyzer used to monitor water quality. These improvements will help ensure the plant can operate during power outages and maintain compliance with water quality standards. All necessary components required to complete the project will also be included.

The estimated cost of the project is $80,000.00 which will be funded by the OWRB REAP Grant of $80,000.00.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $151,300 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

“We are grateful to Senator Jonathan Wingard and Representative Ronny Johns for their continued support of water and wastewater infrastructure funding in Oklahoma,” said Julie Cunningham, OWRB Executive Director.

In Fiscal Year 2025, the OWRB funded over 50 projects through its REAP grant program, a 450% increase from the previous year, thanks in part to a $4 million appropriation from the Oklahoma Legislature. To date, the OWRB has awarded more than $73 million in REAP grants, helping small communities statewide save over $130 million in total project costs.

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