The Locust Grove Public Works Authority Receives $1,500,000 Wastewater System Loan with 100% Principal Forgiveness from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Locust Grove Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $1,500,000 loan with 100% principal forgiveness on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s wastewater infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the wastewater system will be financed by the Oklahoma Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).

The Authority, located in Mayes County, operates a wastewater collection system that serves 548 sewer customers. Aging infrastructure has led to increased inflow and infiltration (I&I)—the unwanted entry of stormwater and groundwater into the sewer system—which is contributing to sanitary sewer overflows, higher maintenance costs, and regulatory compliance challenges. The proposed project will fund a comprehensive sanitary sewer evaluation study (SSES) and the development of an engineering report to identify and prioritize system deficiencies. These efforts will support long-term infrastructure planning, reduce strain on the wastewater treatment system, and improve overall system performance

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s  customers will save an estimated $2,466,900 compared to traditional financing.

“This project will benefit the residents of Locust Grove is much appreciated,” said Majority Floor Leader Josh West, R-Grove. “A sanitary sewer system is of the utmost importance for the community, and I appreciate the foresight of OWRB to meet these needs."

“We are grateful to State Senator Julie McIntosh and Majority Floor Leader Josh West for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

The CWSRF program is administered by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board with partial funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The CWSRF program has provided approximately $2.8 billion in water quality loans to provide communities with the resources necessary to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects our valuable water resources statewide.

Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $8.2 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.