Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Okmulgee Municipal Authority (Authority) received approval for a $10,760,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their  water and wastewater infrastructure.

The Authority operates a regional water distribution system that supplies water to multiple communities and utilities across Okmulgee County, including the City of Morris, OSU Institute of Technology, and several rural water districts. The system’s aging infrastructure has led to over 80 water line breaks annually since 2016, disrupting service and increasing maintenance costs. To improve reliability and meet growing demand, the proposed project will replace 3,500 linear feet of 18-inch water lines with 24-inch lines, along with 39,000 linear feet of smaller 6- and 8-inch lines. These upgrades will reduce water loss, enhance service delivery, and support long-term sustainability for the region.

According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s  customers will save an estimated $3,094,900 compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s  water, sewer, and sanitation services  and a two-cents sales tax.