Learn about Oklahoma Water Resources Board, including Featured News, Projects, The Team, Our Funding Programs, and Our Mission Statement and Strategic Narrative.
The OWRB's mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for Oklahomans by managing and improving the state’s water resources to ensure clean and reliable water supplies, a strong economy, and a safe and healthy environment.
Our primary duties and responsibilities include water use appropriation and permitting, water quality monitoring and standards, financial assistance for water/wastewater systems, dam safety, floodplain management, water supply planning, technical studies and research, and water resource mapping.
Okemah Utilities Authority receives $22,870,000 loan from the OWRB for water system improvements
OKLAHOMA CITY – Okemah Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval for a $22,870,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water infrastructure.
The Authority will use these funds to construct a new three (3) million gallon per day water treatment plant, a new raw water intake structure at Okemah Lake, installation of new Automatic Meter Infrastructure (AMI) water meters, and for the construction of two (2) new 500,000 gallon water storage tanks.
According to Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $3,772,197 over the life of the 30-year loan compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water and sewer systems, a one (1) cent sales tax, and a mortgage. Okemah’s City Manager, Jayne Hughes, stated, “We appreciate the ability of the Board to help with water needs in Okemah and throughout Oklahoma. This approval will help us in looking forward to growth under our economic development plan.”
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $5.4 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State Senator Roger Thompson and Representative Logan Phillips for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
Harrah Public Works Authority receives $2,560,000 loan from the OWRB for water and wastewater system improvements
OKLAHOMA CITY – Harrah Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for a $2,560,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Authority will use these funds for the extension of water and sewer mains in the vicinity of Luther Road and SE 29th Street and NW 23rd Street, construction of a NE 23rd Street lift station, installation of a collection main and force main, approximately 1,100 feet of sewer line along 23rd Street, and the retrofit and upgrade of a sewer lift station on Harrah Road.
According to Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $464,000 over the life of the 30-year loan compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water and sewer systems, a three (3) cent sales tax, and a mortgage. Harrah’s Mayor, Danny Trent, stated, “We appreciate the Board’s consideration of this request and are applying because of the growth in Harrah. We look forward to moving forward. Thank you.”
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $5.4 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State Senator Shane Jett, Brenda Stanley, and Zach Taylor, and Representative Preston Stinson for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
El Reno Municipal Authority receives $7,500,000 loan from the OWRB for water system improvements
OKLAHOMA CITY – El Reno Municipal Authority (Authority) received approval for a $7,500,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their water infrastructure.
The Authority will use the funds to renovate an existing water treatment plant. This will include repair of the aerator tower, install a raw water meter at the plant, install a new claricone, and repair a recarbonation basin vault. This project will also remove and replace filters, rehabilitate the chemical feed room, replace backwash meters, plant controls, pumps, sample lines, filters, and existing claricones as well as upgrade the water distribution building.
According to Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,212,619 over the life of the 30-year loan compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water and sewer system, and a one (1) cent sales tax. An El Reno representative shared, “The City of El Reno thanks the OWRB staff for their hard work on this project and appreciates the Board for their consideration.”
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $5.4 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State legislators from the El Reno metro area for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
Agency's Executive Director
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board's (OWRB) Financial Assistance Division assists communities in their efforts to protect and conserve Oklahoma's water resources for current and future generations through cost-effective financial products, technical assistance, and high quality customer service. To find more information, please visit here.
Loan Programs:
The CWSRF loan program is funded by EPA capitalization grants, state matching funds, and bonds. The CWSRF is administered by the OWRB. The interest rate is approximately 60% of AAA market rate with 40% savings through federal subsidy.
The DWSRF loan program is funded by EPA capitalization grants, state matching funds, loan repayments, investment earnings, and bonds. The DWSRF is co-administered by the OWRB and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The interest rate is approximately 70% of AAA market rate with 30% savings through federal subsidy.
The OWRB's state loan revenue bond program offers long term, variable interest rate funding with a fixed rate conversion option. This low interest rate is based on the OWRB's AAA credit rating.
Grant Programs:
The Emergency Grant Program is a point-based program designed to assist communities facing crises which threaten life, health, or property.
The REAP Grant Program is a point-based program designed to assist smaller communities that lack sufficient fiscal capacity. Cities, towns, and municipalities with a population less than 1,750 are given priority. Rural water and/or sewer districts with less than 525 non-pasture customers are also given priority.
