Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Durant City Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) for two Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loans totaling $51,720,000—one for $35,270,000 and another for $16,450,000—to upgrade and improve the city’s water and stormwater infrastructure. 

The Authority, located in Bryan County, services over 7,500 water connections. The Authority operates both stormwater and water distribution systems that serve the City of Durant and surrounding areas. 

The first loan, not to exceed $16.45 million, will fund major stormwater infrastructure improvements. The city’s aging and undersized drainage system currently causes significant flooding during heavy rainfall. A hydraulic and hydrologic study along Main Street revealed that the current infrastructure cannot adequately convey the 2-year storm event and that roadway crossings are overtopped before the 5-year storm event. The project will upsize drainage structures at six roadway crossings and two railroad crossings and integrate these upgrades with the planned Drainage Improvements Project, helping to reduce flooding risks and improve community resilience. 

The cost estimate for the proposed project is $16,018,649.50 which will be funded through the Financial Assistance Program loan not to exceed $16,450,000. 

The second loan, not to exceed $35.27 million, will support water distribution system upgrades. Due to expansion and growth, portions of the distribution system are experiencing insufficient water volume. To address these challenges, the project includes constructing a new 24-inch transmission watermain from the Gerlach Booster Pump Station to the elevated water tower, rehabilitating existing 12-inch water lines, and upgrading two booster pump stations. These improvements will strengthen system performance, increase capacity, and ensure reliable water service for current and future demand. 

The total estimated project cost is $34,798,549, which will be funded by the Financial Assistance Program loan not to exceed $35,270,000. 

According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $12,921,600 over the life both loans compared to traditional financing. The loans shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s  water, sewer,  and sanitation services and a three cents sales tax.