LeFlore County Rural Water District No. 17 Receives $41,000 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Rural Water District No. 17 LeFlore County, Oklahoma (District) in LeFlore County received approval for a $41,000 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 public water system that is currently experiencing water loss due to a malfunctioning electrical control panel, which is disrupting normal system operations. To restore efficiency and improve reliability, the proposed project will replace the existing control panel with a new system featuring Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), which allow pumps to adjust speed based on demand. The project will also include upgraded wiring to alternate between two pumps and the addition of surge protection to safeguard equipment. All necessary components to complete the upgrades will be included. These improvements will help reduce water loss and support consistent, dependable water service for the community.
The estimated cost of the project is $41,000.00 which will be funded by the OWRB REAP grant in the amount of $41,000.00.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $97,700 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.
"Water is a precious commodity that must be preserved,’ said Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener. “I'm thankful to OWRB for this grant funding that will help the water district get its control panel functioning properly so there will be no more water loss."
“We are grateful to Senator George Burns and Representatives Rick West and Eddy Dempsey 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.
