Tonkawa Tribe of Indians in Oklahoma Receives $500,000 Grant for System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma (Tribe) received approval for $500,000 in funding on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Tribe’s water infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the OWRB American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with additional funding from the Tonkawa Tribe of Indians and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Tribe receives water from the Town of Tonkawa, but the Tribe seeks to gain greater control over its water supply to ensure consistent quality and safety. The proposed project includes drilling a new water well, constructing a water treatment system, and installing approximately 8,550 feet of water line and related infrastructure. Once complete, the project will provide the Tribe with a reliable, independently managed water source and improved protection against potential contaminants.
The estimated cost of the project is $1,631,000.00 which will be funded by the OWRB ARPA Grant of $500,000.00, Tonkawa Tribe of Indians funds of $500,201.00, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant of $630,799.00.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $784,200.00 compared to traditional financing.
“It’s great to see the Tonkawa Tribe, the state, and federal partners working together to make this project happen,” said Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City. “Clean, reliable water is a basic need, and this partnership gives the Tribe more control over its water supply.”
“Access to clean and reliable water is fundamental to the health and well-being of any community,” said Senator Roland Pederson, R-Burlington. “I commend the collaboration between the Tonkawa Tribe, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in making this project a reality and for their commitment to improving Tonkawa’s water infrastructure.”
“We are grateful to State Senators Bill Coleman and Roland Pederson and State Representative John Pfeiffer for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
The ARPA grant program is administered by the OWRB with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and appropriated through the American Rescue Plan Act grants program. This OWRB program has been structured to provide communities and other eligible entities with the financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems.
Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $8.3 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
