Pauls Valley Municipal Authority Receives $12,630,000 Loan for Water System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Pauls Valley Municipal Authority (Authority) received approval for a $12,630,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water infrastructure.
The Authority operates a public water supply system that includes a microfiltration water treatment plant, distribution lines, and backwash lagoons. Aging facilities and unpermitted discharges from the backwash system have created operational challenges that must be addressed to restore regulatory compliance. The proposed project includes constructing a new covered 75-foot clarifier—a structure that helps remove solids during treatment—along with concrete-lined backwash basins and upgraded chemical feed systems. Additional improvements include replacing the plant’s microfiltration membrane and rehabilitating a lift station with a new force main and discharge structure. These upgrades will strengthen the city’s water treatment process and ensure safe, reliable service for the community.
According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $3,285,400 compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer, and sanitation services, a .5 cent sales tax, and a mortgage on the water and sewer systems.
Local officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included City Manager Joe Livingston. “We’d like to say thank you for this assistance,” said Livingston. “This is a project we’ve been working on for a while. We’ve made the news recently on the quality of our water not being where it should be, so this funding will help us improve our plant and provide our citizens with quality water, so we appreciate it.”
“This investment is a major step forward for Pauls Valley and the residents who depend on reliable, safe water every day,” Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, said. “These improvements will not only bring the city into compliance with environmental standards but also strengthen the long-term stability of our water system. I’m grateful to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for recognizing the importance of this project and supporting the community’s commitment to maintaining high-quality infrastructure.”
“We are grateful to State Senator Jonathan Wingard and State Representatives Cynthia Roe and Tammy Townley for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $8.3 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
