Press Release

Harper County Rural Water District No. 1, Harper County, Oklahoma Receives $56,029 Grant for Water System Improvements from the OWRB

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Harper County Rural Water District No. 1, Harper County, Oklahoma (District) in Harper County received approval for a $56,029 Emergency Grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s Water infrastructure.

The District operates a public water system serving rural customers in Harper County. Earlier this year, the District experienced a complete loss of water pressure when an air pocket entered the main line and became trapped at the system’s highest point during unrelated construction work. To quickly restore service and protect public health, the District installed an emergency connection to the Town of Buffalo’s water system, including approximately 400 feet of new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waterline and related components. The total project cost was $65,916, with $56,028.60 eligible for reimbursement through the OWRB Emergency Grant. The remaining $9,887.40 in local funds fulfills the required 15% grant match.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $175,900 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.