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OKLAHOMA CITY – Commerce Development Authority (Authority) in Ottawa County received approval for a $75,000 Emergency Grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure.

The Authority operates a public water system serving local residents and businesses. Following severe freezing conditions on January 28, 2026, the Authority experienced a complete loss of water in its storage tank due to pump failures and breaks in the water distribution system. The project will reimburse the Authority for emergency pump replacement and repairs to the water storage tank, restoring the system’s capacity to provide reliable drinking water service. These improvements will strengthen the system’s resilience to future weather-related disruptions and help protect public health by supporting a dependable supply of safe drinking water. The $75,000 project will be funded through an OWRB Emergency Grant.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $157,200 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Geary Utilities Authority (Authority) in Blaine and Canadian Counties received approval for a $250,000 Emergency Grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure.

The Authority operates a public water system serving its community. In June 2026, severe storms and lightning strikes caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, affecting equipment needed to produce and distribute drinking water. The project will repair or replace damaged well pumps and controllers, electrical components, and a standby generator, while restoring radio telemetry and well-control systems. These improvements will strengthen the reliability and resilience of the water system, helping ensure a dependable supply of safe drinking water and protecting public health. The $250,000 project will be fully funded through an OWRB Emergency Grant.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $413,600 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Claremore Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $10,000,000 loan with $1,000,000 in principal forgiveness on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water and electric infrastructure.  Construction of upgrades and improvements to the systems will be financed by the Oklahoma Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).

The Authority’s water and electrical infrastructure include aging meters that have come to the end of their useful life. This project will replace approximately 8,204 existing water meters and 12,974 electric meters with new cellular-based meters, as well as upgrading the transmitters to approximately 41 existing large-diameter water meters.

Updating the metering systems can improve efficiency of the utility, as well as the water quality in the surrounding waterbodies. Automated meter reading can reduce the time operators spend reading meters, allowing staff to focus on critical maintenance, repairs, and other system needs. The updated water metering system allows for quicker detection of leaks and other sources of water loss, thereby reducing the amount of treatment at the wastewater treatment plant resulting in a reduced amount of effluent being released into the Verdigris River. The installation of new electric meters supports more efficient use of natural gas and improves the management of gas production and exploration, reducing the impacts to waterbodies in the area impaired by salts, nutrients, sediments and other pollutant loading.

Funding for this project through the CWSRF is eligible due to the program’s ability to provide funding for projects that support water efficiency, energy efficiency, nonpoint source pollution, and environmentally innovative strategies.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $4,037,100 when compared to traditional financing. The CWSRF loan will be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer and electric systems.