Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – Thomas (City) received approval for $420,901 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure.  Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water and wastewater systems will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.

The City’s water supply wells and facilities are unmonitored which requires physical inspection. Additionally, a new housing development is being constructed and will require water and sewer infrastructure. These proceeds will be used to install a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition control system (SCADA) and water and sewer lines to the new housing development. The estimated cost of the projects is $538,011.46, which will be funded by the ARPA grant of $420,901.46, a SWODA REAP grant of $75,000, and local funds of $42,110.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the City’s customers will save an estimated $658,200compared to traditional financing.