Joe Freeman,
Chief, Financial Assistance Division
About
Learn about Oklahoma Water Resources Board, including Featured News, Projects, The Team, Our Funding Programs, and Our Mission Statement and Strategic Narrative.
View 16 Photos
- Established in
- 1957
- Bond Ratings
- Aaa/AAA/AAA
- Bonds Outstanding (as of 8/1/23)
- $1,870,265,000
About Oklahoma Water Resources Board
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.
Featured News
April 16, 2024
Press Release
Norman Utilities Authority receives $5,000,000 wastewater system loan from OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Norman Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval for a $5,000,000 loan Tuesday 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 Congressional Directed Spending Grant totaling $4,600,000.
The Authority will use the OWRB proceeds and $4,600,000 Congressionally directed funds for improvements to their water reclamation facility. The project will include replacing dewatering centrifuges with a new hydraulic drive centrifuge system, the replacement of blowers, renovating the administration building, and constructing a new storage building. These upgrades will maintain treatment and future flow demands to meet population projections.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $650,800 over the life of the 25-year loan compared to traditional financing. The CWSRF loan will be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water and sewer systems. City Manager, Darrel Pyle, Finance Director, Anthony Francisco, and Utilities Engineer, Nathan Madenwald represented the Authority at the OWRB’s Board of Directors meeting. Mr. Madenwald stated, “The City of Norman and Norman Utilities Authority thanks the OWRB for their help in funding projects which allow the Authority to treat water at a high level.”
April 16, 2024
Press Release
The Duncan Public Utilities Authority receives $4,800,000 wastewater system loan from OWRB
OKLAHOMA CITY –The Duncan Public Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval for a $4,800,000 loan Tuesday 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).
The Authority will use the proceeds for wastewater treatment plant improvements to include a new chlorination-dechlorination system, a new chemical building, and for repair or replacement of manholes and sewer lines. These improvements will address inflow and infiltration into the sewer collection system thereby reducing unintended flows to the wastewater treatment facility and preventing unpermitted discharges from wet weather.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,969,800 over the life of the 30-year loan compared to traditional financing. The CWSRF loan will be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s water, sewer, sanitation, and electrical systems. Public Works Director, Buddy Hokit, shared, “We appreciate the relationship with OWRB for the last several years and look forward to another great project.”
April 16, 2024
Press Release
City of Sand Springs receives $2,000,000 grant for system improvements
OKLAHOMA CITY –The City of Sand Springs (City) received approval for $2,000,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the City’s wastewater infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the wastewater system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $2,300,000 in local funds.
The City owns and operates a wastewater system and would like to promote development of the Pogue Airport site. These proceeds will be used to connect a 30-inch sewer line from the airport site to the existing Euchee Creek sewer line.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the City’s customers will save an estimated $3,097,400 compared to traditional financing.
Projects
The Team
Julie Cunningham
Agency's Executive Director
Our Funding Programs
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.
