Gore Public Works Authority Receives $1,410,000 in Water System Funding from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Gore Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,410,000 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 rehabilitate its surface water treatment plant and enhance water system efficiency. Planned improvements include the replacement of aging valves and raw water piping, as well as upgrades to critical electrical and instrumentation components that support the treatment process. In addition, the project will include the installation of approximately 450 new water meters. These upgrades are designed to ensure the Authority remains in compliance with the Surface Water Treatment Rule—federal regulations aimed at protecting public health by improving the quality and safety of drinking water sourced from lakes, rivers, and other surface sources. This project will also reduce system water loss and enhance operational efficiency, ensuring a safe, reliable water supply for residents and businesses in Gore.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,425,200 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 1 cent sales tax.
Gore Public Works Authority’s officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included Mayor Robin Henry, Vice-Mayor Larry Pack, Gore Public Works Authority Administrator Jeremy Lane, and Town Clerk Lisa Settlemyre. “On behalf of the Town of Gore, we thank you for this funding opportunity,” said Mayor Robin Henry. “Without this assistance there is no way we could start a project like this. Our water plant is over 30 years old and needs the attention.”
“With over $1.4 million in combined funding, these projects will rehabilitate Gore’s surface water treatment plant, modernize critical systems like valves and piping, and install 450 automated water meters,” said Sen. Tom Woods, R-Westville. “These upgrades will ensure safe, reliable drinking water for the community and improve efficiency for years to come. I extend my appreciation to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board as well as our local partners for their efforts on this project."
"I am so thankful that the OWRB has agreed to provide this greatly needed funding for the town of Gore, for something so essential as drinking water. This is a wise and appropriate use of resources," said Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland.
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 Tom Woods and State Representative Jim Olsen 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 $7.9 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
