Stonewall Public Works Authority Receives $84,115 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Stonewall Public Works Authority (Authority) in Pontotoc County received approval for a $84,115 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure.

The Authority has been facing electrical failures caused by lightning strikes at both its well sites and at City Hall, where the water system is monitored through SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technology.

The proposed project will address these issues by installing surge protection and lightning poles at the wells, as well as a backup generator and automatic transfer switch at City Hall, along with all necessary supporting components. The total estimated cost of the project is $84,115.00, which will be fully funded by an OWRB REAP grant in the same amount.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $151,800 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

“This funding protects Stonewall’s water services from disruptions caused by electrical failures," said Sen. Jonathan Wingard, R-Ada. “Investing in surge protection, lightning poles and a backup generator ensures the community will have reliable water services even when the weather is unpredictable.”

“We are grateful to Senator Jonathan Wingard and Representative Ronny Johns 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 $7.8 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.