Town of Foss Receives $149,909 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – Town of Foss (Town) in Washita County received approval for a $149,909 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Town’s water infrastructure.

The Town operates a water supply system that relies on two existing wells. During dry seasons, these wells are unable to meet the community’s full water demand. To ensure a reliable and consistent water supply year-round, the proposed project will drill a third well, along with the necessary components to bring it online. This improvement will help safeguard the town’s water access during periods of drought. The estimated cost of the project is $149,909.28 which will be funded by the OWRB REAP Grant of $149,909.28.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $256,900 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

“Reliable water isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity, especially for rural towns like Foss,” said Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City. “This grant will allow the town to drill a third well, making sure folks have the water they need even in the dry months. It’s a smart investment in the kind of infrastructure that keeps small-town Oklahoma running strong.”

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

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