The Kingfisher Public Works Authority Receives $5,000,000 Loan for Water and Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Kingfisher Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $5,000,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their  water and wastewater infrastructure.

The Authority operates the community’s water and wastewater systems, which serve more than 2,600 water connections and 2,200 sewer connections. Several key components of the system need upgrades, including a nonfunctional screening unit at the main wastewater lift station and water wells that require improvements to meet Safe Drinking Water Act disinfection byproduct standards. To strengthen system reliability and restore compliance, the Authority plans to build a new mechanical headworks facility and lift station, install updated control and monitoring equipment at its well fields, and develop a hydraulic model to better understand and plan for water system needs. The project also includes system-wide inspections of sewer lines and manholes using tools such as CCTV cameras and smoke testing to identify areas needing repair. These investments will help the Authority modernize critical infrastructure, improve service, and support long-term community growth.

According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s  customers will save an estimated $1,256,600 compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer, and electric services.

Local officials attending the OWRB’s monthly meeting in support of the loan application included Kingfisher’s City Manager Jim Thomas and Mayor Geoff Covalt. “We do need these monies and appreciate your consideration,” said Thomas. “Kingfisher has had some deferred maintenance, and we are beginning to improve it with our capital improvement plan, so we appreciate your consideration.”

“Kingfisher’s water and wastewater systems are vital to the community, and these upgrades will help keep them running smoothly for years to come,” said Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry. 

"This $5 million investment is a major step forward in strengthening local water and wastewater infrastructure,” said Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher. “The collaborative effort between the Kingfisher Public Works Authority and OWRB to modernize these critical facilities will ensure a more reliable, efficient, and resilient utility network that will serve our growing community for decades to come.”

"Assuring clean drinking water for the residents of Kingfisher is of extreme importance,” said Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene. “I'm grateful to the OWRB for the release of funding to get these water wells and the associated distribution systems back to working order."

“We are grateful to State Senators Chuck Hall and Darcy Jech and State Representative Mike Dobrinski  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.