Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Arbuckle Master Conservancy District (District) received approval for $6,250,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the District’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 $6,000,000 in Chickasaw Tribal matching funds.

The District has received a reduction for the maximum annual yield determination for water use from the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer. This reduction in yield for water use coupled with the increased water demand in the area has resulted in a need to create sustainability and certainty for the towns of Sulphur and Dougherty as well as Murray County and Buckhorn Rural Water Districts. Proceeds will be used to address these concerns by replacing four existing pump stations and the installation of a new re-regulating reservoir pump station and new pipeline to Sulphur's water treatment plant.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the District’s customers will save an estimated $8,052,900 compared to traditional financing.