Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Utility Authority received approval for $1,000,000 in funding 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 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $57,500 in local funds.

The Authority will utilize the proceeds for the replacement of old ductile iron water lines with new water lines.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,495,100 compared to traditional financing. Alva Mayor Kelly Parker stated, “This ARPA opportunity is vital for the City of Alva to meet its project goals more quickly, ensuring better service to our citizens and businesses, and better ensuring our ability to conserve vital water resources for the future.”

The ARPA grant program is administered by the OWRB with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and appropriated through Senate Bill 429 and Senate Bill 13 for the Water and Wastewater American Rescue Plan Act grants program. This OWRB program has been structured to provide communities and other eligible entities financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems. Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $6.2 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.

“We are grateful to State Senator Casey Murdock and State Representative Carl Newton for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, executive director of the OWRB.