Press Release

Hughes County Rural Water District No. 6

The Hughes County Rural Water District No. 6 (District) received approval for a $92,000 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant Tuesday through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’s water infrastructure.

The District will use the proceeds to upgrade and refurbish a system standpipe. Improvements will include a recoat to the interior and exterior of the tank, repair pitting and removal of a 2” plug, install additional piping, gate valves, and a fire hydrant to adequately drain and control the tank functions. Additionally repair will be performed on the tank foundation, a new safety climb system will be installed, and telemetry and other electrical mountings will be relocated. The estimated cost of the project is $169,000 which will be funded by the requested grant of $92,000 along with local funds in the amount of $77,000.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB's Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save the District’s customers $109,600 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds. Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $5.3 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.