Oklahoma’s Top 5 Local Water Priorities Now That State Question 764 Is Law

Share this article and spread the love.
Join the conversation! Post a comment on this article.

Filed by KOSU News in State Impact.
November 22, 2012

Happyfunpaul / flickr

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s Financial Assistance Program helps local governments secure loans to make water infrastructure improvements.

Since the program began in 1985, nearly $3 billion has been provided to counties and municipalities to build wells, improve sewer systems, install generators, and a host of other water projects.

The program allows localities to use the state’s credit to secure loans, instead of their own credit ratings, which are usually worse. But the program was finally stretched to its limit earlier this year.

That’s where State Question 764 comes in. 764 passed on Election Day and expands the amount OWRB can back up loans with to $300 million. Executive Director J.D. Strong says that translates to billions more in loans over the next several decades.

The lists of projects needing funding are long, but the OWRB says these are the top-five priorities:

System	Loan Amount	Purpose
Tecumseh Utility Authority	$3,888,304	Construct a raw waterline from Wes Watkins Reservoir to Tecumseh Lake and upgrade the water treatment plant.
Pittsburg County Water Authority	$563,000	Construct new chemical room and feed system, repair 60′ clarifier, replace transfer pumps, repair filter valves and controls.
Goldsby Water Authority	$599,215	Construct 2.5 miles of replacement 12″ transmission line, and a replacement raw waterline from the well field to the water treatment plant.
Cleveland Municipal Authority	$5,500,000	Four phase upgrade to water supply and treatment facilities that includes demolition of old, unused structures.
Osage County Rural Water District #21	$1,771,300	Construct new well field and main supply line to proposed water treatment plant, and additional storage.