Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust (Authority) received approval for $2,500,000 in funding with $1,250,000 in principal forgiveness Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s Water infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).

The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust will use the funding to advance its lead service inventory verification program. Through hydro excavation and potholing on both public and private sides of the meter, the project aims to investigate and verify 5,000 remaining unknown service lines in the distribution system. This initiative will enhance water quality and public health for residents and businesses.

Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $2,022,000 compared to traditional financing. The DWSRF loan will be secured with a lien on their water, sewer, and sanitation revenues.