Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Southern Oklahoma Water Corporation (Corporation) received approval for $17,100,000 Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Corporation’s water infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $895,250 in local funds.

The Corporation needs additional water capacity to support development at the Ardmore Industrial Air Park and the rural areas to the north and east of Ardmore. $9,100,000 of these funds will add two clarifiers and backup power to the water treatment plant, and upgrade the existing water distribution system by installing one (1) 12-inch water main and two (2) 8-inch water mains.

The Corporation also needs additional water capacity to support tourism, and new commercial, retail, and residential development in and around Lake Murray State Park. The existing water treatment plant is located on the waterfront, which would be better utilized as recreational space. $8,000,000 of these funds will be used to install a new water treatment plant on the western edge of the State Park, relocate a raw water intake to a deeper location, and upgrade the water distribution infrastructure.