Harper County Rural Water District No. 1 Receives $56,029 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Harper County Rural Water District No. 1, Harper County, Oklahoma (District) in Harper County received approval for a $56,029 Emergency Grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s Water infrastructure.
The District operates a public water system serving rural customers in Harper County. Earlier this year, the District experienced a complete loss of water pressure when an air pocket entered the main line and became trapped at the system’s highest point during unrelated construction work. To quickly restore service and protect public health, the District installed an emergency connection to the Town of Buffalo’s water system, including approximately 400 feet of new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waterline and related components. The total project cost was $65,916, with $56,028.60 eligible for reimbursement through the OWRB Emergency Grant. The remaining $9,887.40 in local funds fulfills the required 15% grant match.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $175,900 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.
“This emergency grant will go a long way toward helping Harper County Rural Water District No. 1 recoup some of the costs related to this project,” said Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt. “When the district experienced a sudden loss of water pressure, local leaders and crews acted quickly to ensure residents and businesses had access to a safe and reliable water supply. This grant helps ease the financial burden of those emergency repairs and ensures the district can continue improving its infrastructure for the future.”
“We are grateful to Senator Casey Murdock and Representative Kenton Patzkowsky 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 $8.3 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
