|
|
Welcome to the latest newsletter from the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division!
This month, we’re highlighting essential details on Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan forgiveness, upcoming educational workshops and our most recent funding approvals.
|
|
 To make the loan forgiveness process more efficient for applicants and analysts alike, the OWRB has proposed changes to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Loan Forgiveness Program.
These proposed changes also prepare entities for impending shifts in federal funding and will help ensure the long-term stability of the CWSRF program.
Here's what you need to know:
CWSRF loan forgiveness (LF) for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 will be structured at 25%, with 75% financed as a loan, subject to a $1 million maximum cap on loan forgiveness for all projects except nonpoint source projects. Nonpoint source projects are eligible for up to 100% loan forgiveness up to a $1 million maximum cap.
The CWSRF requires the development of affordability criteria to assist in community ranking across Oklahoma. Entities are ranked across four tiers based on community income and employment data, population trends and any other relevant factors.
Tier 1-3 entities are eligible to apply for loan forgiveness on any CWSRF project. At this time, Tier 4 entities are only eligible for loan forgiveness on nonpoint source (NPS) projects.
Current community affordability calculations can be accessed here.
Application processing updates:
There is no longer a fixed deadline for submitting supporting documents. Project Priority List (PPL) applications will be processed on a rolling basis as they are received. All required documents must be completed and submitted prior to placement on a Board agenda. Check out our Project Funding Calendar below for application deadlines.
Funding availability updates:
Loan Forgiveness will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Projects that are ready to proceed will receive a notification letter confirming loan forgiveness and identifying the applicable board meeting.
Note: If an entity does not proceed to the Board, the funding will be reallocated to the next eligible project until the funds are fully exhausted.
PPL ranking structure updates:
New questions have been added to assess financial capacity and evaluate an entity's ability to assume debt. This includes a review of the Debt Coverage Ratio (DCR).
Entities that do not meet DCR requirements will not be ranked but will be placed on the PPL contingency list. Once an entity is able to meet DCR requirements and proceed with the loan, the project will be ranked and moved to the fundable list.
The CWSRF loan forgiveness ranking structure has updated its point system to score and rank eligible projects. Projects with the highest scores out of a total 284 points will be eligible for loan forgiveness as funds are available.
Next steps for entities:
If your entity is currently on the PPL, we encourage you to submit a PPL Update Request Form to stay on the list and address any changes to your project. This will ensure your entity is appropriately ranked for SFY 2027.
At the end of January, OWRB FAD held a webinar reviewing these changes and additional information entities need to apply for CWSRF loan forgiveness. The webinar recording can be found on the OWRB website.
 All the key deadlines. All in one place.
The Financial Assistance Division has prepared a calendar of project funding due dates and other notable deadlines to ensure your funding application is efficiently processed. Access this calendar using the button below.
Notable dates in March:
-
March 2: Application deadline for April Board Meeting
-
March 6: Notice letters for April Board Meeting are delivered
-
March 17: OWRB Board Meeting
-
March 25-March 31: Blackout closing dates for DWSRF
|
|
 Fostering Leadership in Oklahoma Water, or FLOW, is an ongoing series of workshops and webinars designed with guidance from the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan to assist Oklahoma's water workforce develop skills and improve collaboration efforts within our state.
Each month, the OWRB is partnering with experts from across the industry to lead discussions, establish connections and inspire resourcefulness in our state's water system operations.
|
|
Strong partnerships are built by FLOW.
February's FLOW workshop, "Infrastructure Problem-solving: Forming Successful Partnerships Within the Community," just wrapped up. Participants gathered in Oklahoma City for an interactive workshop designed and led by our partners at the WaterNow Alliance, the River Network and the Southwest Environmental Finance Center.
Throughout the workshop, participants learned new strategies to empathize, connect and collaborate with neighboring entities. From forming partnerships for increased purchasing power to negotiating terms for shared resources, the workshop provided innovative solutions for water systems to develop and maintain connections with the various stakeholders in their communities.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this month's FLOW workshop. We hope the strategies you learned here contribute to successful operations back home!
Register for these upcoming FLOW workshops and webinars:
|
|
 When: Thursday, March 26 | 1-2 p.m.
Where: Online webinar
Cost: Free
|
 When: Thursday, April 23
Where: The 2026 Oklahoma Rural Water Association Spring Conference
Cost: Free to conference attendees
|
|
 When: Tuesday, May 12 | 1-2 p.m.
Where: Online webinar
Cost: Free
|
|
Upcoming learning opportunity:
 Resolving Wastewater Treatment Challenges in Small Communities
A two-day training opportunity facilitated by Communities Unlimited and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA)
April 7-8 | 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tulsa Technology Center, 10800 N 137th Avenue, Owasso, OK 74055
Communities Unlimited and NOWRA are hosting an in-person, no-cost training for engineers, designers, regulators, operators, service providers and others dealing with small community challenges. The goal is to provide the communities in need with the full range of options to resolve their wastewater treatment needs.
Those who attend the general session are also invited to a special "Train the Trainer" session on Thursday, April 9, in Tulsa. Please note that this session is only open to those who participated in the general two-day session in Owasso.
This training has been approved by ODEQ for 12 CEU hours. Learn more and register today through the button below!
|
|
 The Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are partnering to create a water rates dashboard for Oklahoma utilities.
These rates dashboards are publicly available tools that provide useful benchmarking information to guide decisions about water rates. Utility staff can use the dashboard to gain valuable insights into the utility’s financial sustainability, as well as compare themselves to other utilities throughout the state. This will be the first water rates dashboard for Oklahoma!
The OWRB team is currently collecting data from water professionals and municipal entities to inform this dashboard. Representatives from both the OWRB and the Environmental Finance Center will be reaching out to entities via email starting on March 2, 2026 to begin data collection.
For questions or more information about the rates dashboard, please reach out to OWRB Planning Engineer Zachary Bradley, P.E. at zachary.bradley@owrb.ok.gov.
|
|
Covington Utilities Authority
|
|
 Pictured from left to right: Northern Oklahoma Development Authority Community Planner Isaac Smallwood, Oklahoma Water Resources Board Grants Analyst Jordan Johnson, Covington Mayor Jack Snider, Covington Town Clerk Krystle Winters, Covington Utilities Authority Superintendent Mike Schram, Myers Engineering Contract Administrator Jennifer Firgard, Hugo with Patriot Construction.
|
|
Congratulations to the Covington Utilities Authority for being awarded a Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant for $134,607 by the OWRB!
This money will be used to address overflow issues caused by old, deteriorating clay tile sewer line pipes. The Authority will replace approximately 1,500 linear feet of existing 10-inch sewer main and one manhole.
We'd like to thank the Covington Utilities Authority, officials from the City of Covington and their project partners for their continued trust and partnership.
|
|
Walters Public Works Authority |
|
|
The OWRB recently approved a $1 million Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan for the Walters Public Works Authority!
These funds will be utilized to address vital infrastructure concerns, improve the current water system and improve access and quality of water distributed within the community.
We're grateful for the opportunity to support the Walters Public Works Authority in their efforts to modernize and grow.
|
 Pictured from left to right: Oklahoma State Senator Spencer Kern, Walters City Manager Matt LaFee, Oklahoma Water Resources Board Financial Lending Manager Andy Allen, Walters Vice Mayor Sheri Flanagan, Oklahoma Water Resources Board Financial Loan Analyst Tim Davis.
|
|
Duncan Public Utilities Authority |
|
 Pictured from left to right: Duncan Assistant Public Works Director Larry Jones, Duncan Mayor Robert Armstrong, Oklahoma Water Resources Board Financial Loan Analyst Traci King, Duncan Public Works Director Buddy Hokit.
|
|
The OWRB is proud to support the Duncan Public Utilities Authority with a $13.3 million loan to advance critical infrastructure improvements and strengthen long-term service for the community.
This Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan is a strong investment in Duncan's water system, and we're excited for the benefits this financial support will bring to the area.
|
|
 At this month's Board Meeting, the OWRB approved over $5.4 million for communities across the state to revitalize their water and wastewater systems.
Listed below is each entity approved for funding at the February 2026 Board Meeting:
 The Hobart Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $1,031,655.00 with $908,043.38 in loan forgiveness
Buffalo Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $12,961.54 with 100% in loan forgiveness
Breckinridge Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $297,410.38 with 100% in loan forgiveness
Rural Water District No. 18, LeFlore County | Total Approved Funds: $670,450.00 with 100% in loan forgiveness
The Erick Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $772,065.62 with 100% in loan forgiveness
Minco Municipal Authority | Total Approved Funds: $800,000.00 with 100% in loan forgiveness
 Citizen Potawatomi Nation | Total Approved Funds: $1,052,945.86
Rural Water District No. 3, Lincoln County | Total Approved Funds: $357,793.57*
*Increase from original grant
 The Coyle Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $118,500.00
Terral Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $99,999.00
The Taft Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $99,999.00
Clayton Public Works Authority | Total Approved Funds: $99,999.00
|
|
|
|
|
