The Porter Public Works Authority Receives $149,950 Grant for Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Porter Public Works Authority (Authority) in Wagoner County received approval for a $149,950 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s wastewater infrastructure.

The Authority operates a sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment facility. To improve system reliability and support compliance with discharge requirements, the proposed project will install a backup generator and automatic transfer switch to ensure continuous operation during power outages. These upgrades will help maintain proper treatment processes and protect local water quality. All necessary components to complete the project will be included.

The estimated cost of the project is $149,950.00 which will be funded by the OWRB REAP grant in the amount of $149,950.00.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $249,700 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

“We are grateful to Senator Julie McIntosh and Representative Mark Chapman for their continued support of water and wastewater infrastructure funding in Oklahoma,” said Julie Cunningham, OWRB Executive Director.

In Fiscal Year 2025, the OWRB funded over 50 projects through its REAP grant program, a 450% increase from the previous year, thanks in part to a $4 million appropriation from the Oklahoma Legislature. To date, the OWRB has awarded more than $73 million in REAP grants, helping small communities statewide save over $130 million in total project costs.

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