Press Release

The Spiro Municipal Improvement Authority Receives $3,125,000 Loan for Wastewater System Improvements from the OWRB 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Spiro Municipal Improvement Authority (Authority) received approval for a $3,125,000 Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan on Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve their  wastewater infrastructure.

The Authority operates an aging wastewater collection system that is experiencing significant inflow and infiltration—excess water entering the sewer system during rainfall—as well as areas of collapsed piping. These issues have led to unpermitted discharges, prompting the Authority to complete a sanitary sewer evaluation study in 2023 to identify needed upgrades and restore compliance. Based on those findings, the proposed project will rehabilitate manholes, clean and repair main sewer lines, and replace segments of pipe to reduce excess wet-weather flows. These improvements will restore system capacity, reduce the risk of backups and overflows, and extend the life of critical infrastructure. Once complete, the project will enhance the long-term reliability and efficiency of Spiro’s wastewater system while protecting public health and the environment.

According to Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $787,400 compared to traditional financing. The loan shall be secured with a lien on the revenues of the Authority’s  water, sewer, sanitation, and electric services, and a 1 cent sales tax.