Choctaw Utilities Authority receives $5.7 million from the OWRB for Water and Wastewater System Improvements
The Choctaw Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval Tuesday for a $5,700,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Authority has one sewer and two water projects which need to be completed to adequately serve their customers. The proposed project is to install two sewer force mains, three sewer lift stations, a SCADA system, 3 backup generators at lift station sites; new elevated water storage tank; rehabilitate one water storage tank; and other items required to complete the project. The total estimated cost of the project is $5,700,000 including the cost of construction, engineering, and associated cost.
"The City of Choctaw is in dire need of above ground storage for water to meet firefighting requirements for the city. The City is currently short approximately 400,000 gallons in storage with Choctaw requiring a minimum of 1 million gallons. This project brings the city up to 1.1 million gallons of storage as well as addresses an urgent need to repair and refurbish an above ground storage tower."
- Ed Brown, Choctaw City Manager
Hinton Public Works Authority Receives $3,139,000 Wastewater System Loan from OWRB
The Hinton Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval Tuesday for a $3,139,000 loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority's wastewater infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the wastewater system will be financed by the Oklahoma Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) along with a $500,000 contribution from the Hinton Economic Development Authority (EDA) for a total project cost of $3,639,000.
The Authority owns and operates three total retention lagoons. Two of the lagoons are experiencing hydraulic overloading during wet weather conditions. The Authority will use the funds to address this by adding additional irrigation capacity at one lagoon, a pump to allow the second lagoon to flow into the third lagoon, and an upgrade to existing land application equipment. These improvements will update the Authority's sanitary sewer system and allow for effluent to be treated and discharged more effectively.
"…the town believes these projects will both help to protect and conserve water resources as well as provide sustainable wastewater handling alternatives for the next 20 years and beyond."
- Mayor Henry Warren
Stonewall Public Works Authority Receives Grants Totaling $199,999 for Wastewater System Improvements
The Stonewall Public Works Authority (Authority) in Pontotoc County received approval Tuesday for a $100,000 Emergency grant, and a $99,999 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant, through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB)
The Authority owns and operates a sewer collection system made up of clay tile pipe which is experiencing frequent failures and causing system backups. The proposed REAP grant project is to conduct a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study, make repairs at the worst deficiencies, and other related items. The proposed Emergency Grant project is to perform spot repairs to replace sections of broken pipe in order to restore the flow to the lagoons. The estimated cost of the repairs is $117,648, which is the amount of the requested grant, along with $17,648.00 in local matching funds.
For more information on these projects, and the six others approved at this month's Board meeting, visit the OWRB's News Page.
