City of Okemah

PROJECT PURPOSE

Okemah is in desperate need of a new water treatment plant. Their existing plant was built in the mid 1960's and revamped in the mid 1980's. So currently Okemah is operating with a 60 year old water plant. The current City Council has recently voted to pursue building a new water plant perpendicular to the existing plant in order to allow the City to provide water services to the City of Okemah as well as two rural water associations during construction of the new plant. The engineering report has a quoted cost of approximately $21.5 million. This project will secure the future for the citizens of Okemah and a large part of Okfuskee County for the next 40-60 years. This new water plant project also plays a very important role in Economic Development because the plans call for an additional million gallons of water in the air to provide for future growth and development of this area.

EVIDENCE

The City of Okemah has been having severe problems with this plant for several years. The raw water intake area at the lake has had it's own set of issues to the point of no longer allowing water flow in to the plant for treatment. Then various problems with clear wells, clarifiers and filters have ceased the distribution of water to the citizens. All of this has been documented with DEQ. Currently the City of Okemah is under a mandate and consent order to make the necessary improvements to it's water plant and distribution system to serve the citizens adequately.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Our Population in Okemah is 36% Native American. That number is verified by Indian Health Services as of late 2021. IN addition, Okfuskee County which Okemah is the largest town of , is one of the poorest Counties in Oklahoma. This water plant which will be owned and operated by the Okemah Utility Authority will be serving about 12,000 individuals predominately with rural locations and no other options for water. The City of Okemah is the sole provider in this area serving portions of Hughes, Okfuskee and Seminole Counties.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

We are currently operating with a 60 year old water treatment plant with multiple problems causing our community to be without water from time to time, measurable performance will be our ability to provide water to our citizens consistently without interruption. The City of Okemah will also be documenting the improved production of water as well as the improved distribution with DEQ.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding