Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Tonkawa Municipal Authority (Authority) in Kay County received approval for a $300,000 Emergency Grant on Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to repair the Authority’s water infrastructure.

The Authority operates a water system serving the City of Tonkawa. Following the flooding in June 2026, the Authority is undertaking corrective measures to address contaminants and restore affected infrastructure. The system sustained significant damage to eight well houses, including Well No. 9, the primary water supply for the City, which was taken offline due to the damage from the floods. The proposed project will clean and sanitize the affected well houses, repair flood-related structural damage, and repair or replace cracked and damaged well casings and concrete, along with associated appurtenances. These improvements will help restore well operations and support a reliable supply of safe drinking water for the community.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the Authority’s customers $520,400 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.