LAWTON – The City Council authorized the municipal Water Authority to apply for two U.S. Bureau of Reclamation grants for drought assistance.
Lawton has three sources of surface water: lakes Lawtonka, Ellsworth, and Waurika, the latter of which dropped to a dangerously low level in 2015 because of a persistent drought and a buildup of silt.
To avoid similar issues anticipated in the future, the City of Lawton has embarked on a project to locate adequate sources of subterranean groundwater.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is offering several grants via its WaterSMART program. The funds include a $3 million grant requiring a 25% match and a $10 million grant with a match of as little as nothing or as much as 25%, city records reflect.
The Bureau reported that through its WaterSMART program it will “continue to work cooperatively with states, tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and avoid potential water conflicts.”
Lawton’s City Council approved an alternate water supply project last year. They authorized city staff to drill wells into the Arbuckle-Timber Aquifer, construct a water conveyance system and upgrade the Southeast Water Treatment Plant.
Phase 1 of the AWS project was intended to produce at least 5 million gallons of potable water each day. The first well produces 1.2 million gallons of raw water daily, Public Utilities Director Rusty Whisenhunt reported.
The Public Utilities Department advertised for bids for a follow-up project that involved drilling seven test holes and converting four of them to production. Ultimately, three bids were received and the City Council awarded a $9,223,500 construction contract to Associated Environmental Industries of Norman on Jan. 23.
The council acknowledged receipt of a permit the state Department of Environmental Quality issued on June 13, authorizing the city to proceed with construction of two groundwater wells in Comanche County.
The Bureau of Reclamation grants, if received, will be used “to fund more alternate water supply projects,” Whisenhunt said. Matching funds, if required, will be paid from a Financial Assistance Program loan approved by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, city records show.