The Duncan Public Utilities Authority Receives $13,520,000 Loan for Water and Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Duncan Public Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval for a $13,520,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Authority operates both a wastewater treatment system and a public water treatment and distribution system serving more than 9,000 connections in Stephens County. Many components across these facilities are aging, some more than 35 years old, and no longer operate efficiently, creating the need for significant rehabilitation to ensure reliable service and maintain compliance with water quality standards. The proposed project includes major upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant, such as rehabilitating lift stations, improving the headworks and treatment processes, and modernizing the system’s monitoring and control technology (SCADA). Improvements at the water treatment plant include repairing the clarifier, replacing outdated equipment and filter media, and making additional upgrades needed to restore compliance. The project also proposes replacing waterlines in key areas and rehabilitating several water towers, building on ongoing improvement efforts supported through the Authority’s existing loans.
According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $4,006,300 compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer, sanitation, and electric services, a 1 cent sales tax and will not include a mortgage on the water, sewer, and electric systems. The lien will be in parity with all other OWRB loans.
Local officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included Duncan City Manager Chris Deal. “On behalf of the citizens of Duncan and the Duncan Utilities Authority, we would like to thank you for your consideration of this loan today,” said Deal. “For our community and our economic development strategy, water infrastructure is the foundation of a thriving community. We thank you for your partnership and consideration.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for approving this critical funding for District 50 and the City of Duncan,” Rep. Stacy Jo Adams, R-Lawton, said. “These improvements will help ensure reliable water and wastewater services for our community while addressing aging infrastructure that’s long overdue for repair. This investment will strengthen our local systems, protect our environment and support the continued well-being of current and future Duncan residents.”
“I’m thankful to see this investment moving forward for Duncan,” Rep. Brad Boles, R-Lawton said. “Reliable water and wastewater systems are essential to the health and economic success of our communities. These upgrades will help address long-standing infrastructure challenges, protect local water sources, and ensure Duncan is well-positioned to meet future needs. I appreciate the partnership and commitment shown by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in making this project possible.”
“We are grateful to State Senators Spencer Kern and Kendal Sacchier and State Representatives Stacy Jo Adams and Brad Boles 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.
