pauls Valley Secures Funding for Critical Water System Upgrades
Pauls Valley is poised too substantially improve its water infrastructure thanks to a $12,630,000 loan approved by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) on November 18th. The funding, delivered through the OWRB’s Financial Assistance program (FAP), will address long-standing issues with the city’s water treatment plant and distribution system.
the Pauls Valley Municipal Authority (PVMA) operates a public water supply featuring a microfiltration plant, a network of distribution lines, and backwash lagoons. Recent challenges, including aging infrastructure and unpermitted discharges from the backwash system, have led to operational difficulties and regulatory non-compliance.
The planned project will involve several key improvements. A new, covered 75-foot clarifier will be constructed to enhance the removal of solids during the treatment process. Existing backwash basins will be upgraded with concrete linings,and the chemical feed systems will be modernized. Additionally,the plant’s microfiltration membranes will be replaced,and a lift station will undergo rehabilitation,including the installation of a new force main and discharge structure.
OWRB officials state these upgrades are essential to bolstering the city’s water treatment capabilities and ensuring a consistent supply of safe, reliable water for residents. The FAP loan offers meaningful financial benefits; Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, estimates PVMA and its customers will save approximately $3,285,400 compared to conventional financing methods. The loan will be backed by revenues from the Authority’s water, sewer, and sanitation services, a .5 cent sales tax, and a mortgage on the water and sewer systems.
To help secure the FAP loan, PVMA implemented increases to water, sewer, and sanitation rates for customers beginning October 1st. City officials also noted that a portion of the rate increase was necessary to cover rising water production costs and eliminate budgetary deficits.
Pauls Valley City Manager Joe Livingston attended the OWRB meeting to advocate for the loan application.He expressed gratitude for the assistance, emphasizing the importance of the project in addressing recent concerns about water quality and providing citizens with a dependable water supply.
State Representative Cynthia Roe (R-Lindsay) lauded the investment, stating it would strengthen the long-term stability of the city’s water system and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB, also acknowledged the support of local legislators, including State Senator Jonathan Wingard and State Representatives Roe and Tammy townley, for OWRB financial assistance programs.
Pauls Valley was among eleven Oklahoma communities approved for FAP loans during the November 18th OWRB meeting. Since 1983, the OWRB has provided over $8.3 billion in financial assistance for water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the state.
