Wellston Public Works Authority Receives $79,427 Grant for Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Wellston Public Works Authority (Authority) in Lincoln County received approval for a $79,427 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s wastewater infrastructure.
The Wellston Public Works Authority is making essential upgrades to its sanitary sewer system to reduce inflow and infiltration, which have been causing frequent failures and increased hydraulic loading on the lagoon system. This project includes replacing two aging manholes, installing approximately 347 linear feet of 8-inch sewer pipe and 175 linear feet of 4-inch sewer pipe, and completing necessary improvements to strengthen the system. By modernizing deteriorating infrastructure, these upgrades will enhance wastewater management, improve system reliability, and help protect local water resources for the community. The estimated cost of the project is $79,426.59 which will be funded by the OWRB REAP Grant of $79,426.59.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $151,100 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.
“Updating Wellston’s sewer system is key to local growth and sustainability,” said Senator Grant Green, R-Wellston. “This project will help the city replace aging manholes and sewer pipes to ensure local sewer infrastructure works as intended.”
“I fully support the OWRB’s approval of this REAP grant for the Wellston Public Works Authority. These muchneeded infrastructure upgrades will help reduce sewer system failures and improve efficiency for the community,” said Representative Jim Shaw, R-Chandler. “I appreciate OWRB’s commitment to funding critical improvements in our district.”
“We are grateful to Senator Grant Green and Representative Jim Shaw 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 $7.8 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
