Oklahoma Water Resources Board

Great share from the Oklahoma Water Resources Center! Oklahoma's only sole source aquifer — the Arbuckle-Simpson — serves the city of Ada as well as many more towns across south-central Oklahoma and is the primary water source for Chickasaw National Recreation Area, which welcomes millions of visitors annually.

Protecting sole-source aquifers is the only way to ensure the long-term health of communities that have no backup water supply. Because these aquifers are critical to their regions, even minor contamination can result in an immediate and significant public health crisis.

Oklahoma's only sole source aquifer is the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer in south-central Oklahoma. The EPA has officially designated its eastern portion as a sole source aquifer to protect this limited resource.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3P084U7

Cheers to another big year of investing in Oklahoma water. 💧

The OWRB's last Board Meeting for Fiscal Year 2026 approved $27.9 million in loans and grants for 26 entities to put towards water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in their communities. Additionally, the Board approved $25.9 million of the State of Oklahoma's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest earnings to be divided between 29 entities with existing projects already approved for funding. That makes the June 2026 Board Meeting a new record for the total amount of approved projects and brings the total amount of approved funding to $53.9 million!

From major service area expansions to necessary repairs on treatment facilities, pipeline and meter systems, each of these projects play a major role in keeping water safe and accessible for Oklahoma citizens. We commend these entities for their commitment to water security for the present, as well as for the future.

➡️ Did your community get approved funding this month? Swipe through to find out.

Real connection beats screen time every time. 💗

It's been a pleasure catching up with old colleagues and meeting new faces in the water community at the Oklahoma Rural Water Association's Spring Conference and the APWA/OWEA Conference and Trade Show. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booths and attended our sessions!

Keep an eye out for us at these upcoming events:

🛠️ Catch us in Stillwater on Thursday, June 25, for ORWA's annual Equipment Expo.

🤝 Find us at the Stride Bank Center in Enid, OK, from July 15-17 for the City Management Association of Oklahoma's 2026 Summer Conference.

Hope to connect with you soon!

The REAP application period for FY 2027 begins in just a few weeks. Are you prepared for the upcoming changes to the rules and application process? Set yourself up for success by attending our two-part webinar series:

✅ FY 2027 REAP Rule Changes: Wednesday, June 17 | 10-11 a.m.
Registration link: 4b797d09-896d-4993-b05f-e57a835f20a5@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWGg5a25YS3VyRllRS2VYZ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7GSBmbW0CpIFsLB38YsPtLTYukHO5DtCnjzM0WjLZAgJi2M3MLC80FxEaidg_aem_ZjbLkvnY23TuOIWluTMfQQ" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/4b797d09-896d-4993-b05f-e57a835f20a5@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWGg5a25YS3VyRllRS2VYZ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7GSBmbW0CpIFsLB38YsPtLTYukHO5DtCnjzM0WjLZAgJi2M3MLC80FxEaidg_aem_ZjbLkvnY23TuOIWluTMfQQ

📑 FY 2027 REAP Application Process: Thursday, June 18 | 10-11 a.m.
Registration link: 8f1ba25f-4157-4b0e-a737-27b06037495d@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWGg5a25YS3VyRllRS2VYZ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR66XJobXOz4k3_oVBnmAI8Vl3pCbNWgZi8IQjG-LgV6zQmjTSXKBMxQR1s5tA_aem_P41pCK0hcsc36jPbP47bcA" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/8f1ba25f-4157-4b0e-a737-27b06037495d@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWGg5a25YS3VyRllRS2VYZ3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR66XJobXOz4k3_oVBnmAI8Vl3pCbNWgZi8IQjG-LgV6zQmjTSXKBMxQR1s5tA_aem_P41pCK0hcsc36jPbP47bcA

If you need to revisit something from the webinars, we will be recording both of the virtual meetings and posting them to the OWRB website after the sessions have concluded.

For any questions regarding the OWRB REAP Grant program, please reach out to [email protected].

💧Recent flooding across Northeast Oklahoma is an important reminder that understanding floodplain management and substantial damage requirements is critical for communities, property owners, and local officials.

After a flood event, buildings that sustain significant damage may be subject to substantial damage determinations. These evaluations help ensure that repairs and reconstruction are completed in a way that reduces future flood risk and keeps communities safer.

If your community has experienced flooding, don't navigate the recovery process alone. Your local Floodplain Administrator (FPA) is a valuable resource who can provide guidance on permitting requirements, substantial damage assessments, floodplain regulations, and rebuilding options.

❓Not sure who your Floodplain Administrator is? You can find a list of FPA’s here: https://oklahoma.gov/owrb/floodplain-management/find-a-floodplain-administrator.html

❗️Floods don't wait—preparation, knowledge, and compliance today can help reduce losses tomorrow.

TODAY: The 2027 CWSRF IUP public meeting will be taking place from 10-11 a.m. in the OWRB Board Room.

Join us in-person (3800 N Classen Boulevard in OKC, second floor), or virtually at 2ddb18f4-1f63-4679-b716-5ad6030be1be@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5." rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/2ddb18f4-1f63-4679-b716-5ad6030be1be@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5.

Save the date! Our Financial Assistance Division is hosting a public meeting to go over the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan (IUP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 on Wednesday, June 3, from 10-11 a.m.

In this meeting, we'll cover important updates and changes taking place with our CWSRF program and provide information for communities seeking CWSRF funding in FY 2027. If you're interested in attending, we encourage you to review the FY 2027 CWSRF IUP before the meeting — publishing soon on the OWRB website! Stay tuned for the official announcement.

Join us in-person at the OWRB Board Room (3800 N Classen Boulevard in OKC, second floor), or virtually through the calendar event link on the OWRB home page: oklahoma.gov/OWRB.

This year, the OWRB made a splash at the 2026 Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA) Summit on Water Infrastructure in Washington, D.C. by receiving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s inaugural Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) State Excellence Award!

The EPA launched the State Excellence Awards this year to honor exceptional SRF program performance at the state level, putting a spotlight on the impact outstanding program management has in funding water infrastructure projects.

The CWSRF State Excellence Award isn't the only win for Oklahoma at this year's CIFA Summit. Check out our full press release to learn more: https://oklahoma.gov/owrb/news-and-events/media/2026/owrb-earns-inaugural-epa-state-excellence-award-for-water-infrastructure-leadership.html

On June 15-16, join us in Hollis, OK, for one-on-one assistance with water permit applications, water permit amendments, change of ownership, water use reporting, and other general assistance. We will be at the Civic Center Building at 208 Jones Street all day (both days) to meet with you in person. Come ready to work!

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) is pleased to announce the passage and signing of a historic suite of water policy legislation during the 60th Oklahoma Legislature. The enacted legislation addresses critical needs in water infrastructure, resource administration, and long-term funding, ensuring that Oklahoma remains competitive and prepared for the evolving demands of its growing population and economy. These measures represent the first major implementation of policy recommendations from the newly published Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (2025 OCWP), a ten-year update to the state’s 50-year prospectus for water security.

Read more at https://lnks.gd/3/3W3jBPW

Our Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) Grant program has received a record $10 million in additional funding from the Oklahoma Legislature for FY 2027. This allows us to expand the program and assist even more communities with a population of 7,000 or less!

To make the most of this funding, we're making some changes to the REAP application process. Join us next month for a two-part webinar series covering the latest updates to the REAP Grant program. The first webinar will go over REAP rule changes for FY 2027, and the second will cover the REAP application process, including required documentation and new updates to be aware of.

Save the date for:

✅ FY 2027 REAP Rule Changes: Wednesday, June 17 | 10-11 a.m.
Registration link: 4b797d09-896d-4993-b05f-e57a835f20a5@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/4b797d09-896d-4993-b05f-e57a835f20a5@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5

📑 FY 2027 REAP Application Process: Thursday, June 18 | 10-11 a.m.
Registration link: 8f1ba25f-4157-4b0e-a737-27b06037495d@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/8f1ba25f-4157-4b0e-a737-27b06037495d@9a307864-3e98-4f08-b90a-728b62cf32c5

Tune in and start building your community's game plan for FY 2027 project funding!

Unable to attend? No problem! We will be publishing recordings of both webinars to the OWRB website. For any questions regarding the REAP Grant program, please reach out to [email protected].