The Durant City Utilities Authority Receives Loans Totaling $51,720,000 for Water and Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Durant City Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) for two Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loans totaling $51,720,000—one for $35,270,000 and another for $16,450,000—to upgrade and improve the city’s water and stormwater infrastructure.
The Authority, located in Bryan County, services over 7,500 water connections. The Authority operates both stormwater and water distribution systems that serve the City of Durant and surrounding areas.
The first loan, not to exceed $16.45 million, will fund major stormwater infrastructure improvements. The city’s aging and undersized drainage system currently causes significant flooding during heavy rainfall. A hydraulic and hydrologic study along Main Street revealed that the current infrastructure cannot adequately convey the 2-year storm event and that roadway crossings are overtopped before the 5-year storm event. The project will upsize drainage structures at six roadway crossings and two railroad crossings and integrate these upgrades with the planned Drainage Improvements Project, helping to reduce flooding risks and improve community resilience.
The cost estimate for the proposed project is $16,018,649.50 which will be funded through the Financial Assistance Program loan not to exceed $16,450,000.
The second loan, not to exceed $35.27 million, will support water distribution system upgrades. Due to expansion and growth, portions of the distribution system are experiencing insufficient water volume. To address these challenges, the project includes constructing a new 24-inch transmission watermain from the Gerlach Booster Pump Station to the elevated water tower, rehabilitating existing 12-inch water lines, and upgrading two booster pump stations. These improvements will strengthen system performance, increase capacity, and ensure reliable water service for current and future demand.
The total estimated project cost is $34,798,549, which will be funded by the Financial Assistance Program loan not to exceed $35,270,000.
According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $12,921,600 over the life both loans compared to traditional financing. The loans shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer, and sanitation services and a three cents sales tax.
Local officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included Durant Mayor Martin Tucker and Public Works Director Phillip Hightower.
“Thank you very much for considering this loan for us to help us complete this project,” said Mayor Tucker. “It’s very important for the City of Durant. Many of you have probably been there before but this project in particular will help with stormwater management that has not been particularly well done in the city. There is part of Main Street, in front of the post office, that you can actually canoe down during a thunderstorm. So, this will help solve that problem.”
"I know from my conversations with the City of Durant just how critical this funding is for our community,” said Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant. “These projects will make a real difference by improving our water pressure, reducing flooding, and supporting future growth. I’m grateful to see the OWRB investing in Durant’s long-term infrastructure needs."
“We are grateful to State Senator David Bullard and State Representatives Justin Humphrey and Cody Maynard 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.
