Harper County Rural Water District No. 1 Receives $88,246 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Harper County Rural Water District No. 1, Harper County, Oklahoma (District) received approval for a $88,246 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s water infrastructure.
Harper County Rural Water District No. 1 in Harper County, Oklahoma, is advancing critical upgrades to its water system facilities, which include five wells, two booster stations, two standpipes, and 240 miles of waterlines. The planned improvements address corrosion issues caused by in-house chlorine storage, the absence of security fencing around booster stations, and the need for sanitary facilities for employees, as well as poor access road conditions. The project will relocate chlorine to a separate apparatus, install security fencing around wells and booster stations, construct sanitary facilities, and improve access roads with six inches of gravel. The estimated cost of $88,245.72 will be fully funded by an OWRB REAP grant.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $166,900 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.
“This grant will enable Harper County Rural Water District No. 1 to upgrade its water system, ensuring a safe and secure water supply for the community,” said Senator Casey Murdock, R-Felt. “Thanks to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for recognizing the county’s needs and using this Rural Economic Action Plan funding to lift up rural parts of the state.”
“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 $7.7 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
