OKLAHOMA CITY – The Sardis Lake Water Authority (Authority) received approval for $3,292,500 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure. The first request was for $2,896,500 along with $6,481,350 in Choctaw Nation matching funds and a second request totaling $396,000 with $396,000 in Choctaw Nation matching funds. All upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.
The Authority owns and operates a water treatment plant (WTP) which furnishes water to Pushmataha, Latimer, Atoka, and Pittsburg County. The first request's proceeds will be used to rehabilitate the water treatment plant with a new water intake structure, plant building, filters, chemical feed, and electrical work.
The second request’s proceeds will target unmet construction standards on the Gilley Hill standpipe. The proposed project is to replace the Gilley Hill standpipe, install SCADA, telemetry, and controls to the standpipe, and provide backup power to the Wildwood Pump Station.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $4,390,300 compared to traditional financing.
