The Oklahoma Water Resources Board approved a five-figure grant for replacement of almost 600 linear feet of sanitary sewer line in Mountain View.
The Kiowa County town’s wastewater collection system is experiencing inflow and infiltration of groundwater and stormwater because of its “cracking, antiquated clay sewer lines,” state and local officials reported.
The $99,969 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant awarded March 18 will be used to replace approximately 450 linear feet of 8-inch-diameter sewer main and approximately 140 linear feet of 4-inch service pipe, the public officials said.
Lori Johnson, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the grant will save Mountain View customers $180,100 in principal and interest charges by not having to borrow the project funds.
The Mountain View Public Works Authority has 450 customers, OWRB records reflect. The town’s monthly utility rates are $49 for 5,000 gallons of water and $19 for sewer service.
Mountain View gets its water from multiple groundwater wells, state Department of Environmental Quality records show.
The Water Resources Board has approved more than $7.8 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma since 1983.