Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Rural Water District No. 17 LeFlore County, Oklahoma (District) in LeFlore County received approval for a $41,000 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s water infrastructure.

The District operates a public water system that is currently experiencing water loss due to a malfunctioning electrical control panel, which is disrupting normal system operations. To restore efficiency and improve reliability, the proposed project will replace the existing control panel with a new system featuring Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), which allow pumps to adjust speed based on demand. The project will also include upgraded wiring to alternate between two pumps and the addition of surge protection to safeguard equipment. All necessary components to complete the upgrades will be included. These improvements will help reduce water loss and support consistent, dependable water service for the community.

The estimated cost of the project is $41,000.00 which will be funded by the OWRB REAP grant in the amount of $41,000.00.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $97,700 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.