City of Cherokee

PROJECT PURPOSE

The City is losing approximately 199,167 gallons of water per day. The water distribution system needs a complete upgrade. Approximately 75% of the water distribution system throughout the City is over 80 years old. 11% of waterlines are made of asbestos cement and 62% of waterlines are ductile iron. Additionally, Cherokee is one of two municipalities in the State of Oklahoma that is mandated by ODEQ to treat distributed water through an R/O system. The ODEQ Water Loss Report dated 2/10/2021, estimated that 34% of our budget is dedicated to water loss. Three million gallons of water per year is lost through old faulty meters and 68.7 million gallons of water per year is lost due to unknown leaks within the water distribution system. Myers Engineering noted 55% of water loss in 2004, it was also confirmed in 2020 by Guernsey and again in 2021 by ODEQ. Mitigation was not successful. The City of Cherokee is looking for assistance from ARPA to improve our water distribution system including new ultrasonic water meters and AMI system, new waterlines, and a new water tower.

EVIDENCE

By replacing our waterlines, we will directly address the water loss we are experiencing through our water distribution system. This project will also assist the City in addressing 11% of our waterlines which are made of asbestos cement and 62% of our waterlines made of ductile iron. Additionally, with the installation of new waterlines, gate valves will be installed which will assist the City in maintaining the water distribution system more efficiently. The interventions proposed will make the City?s water distribution system safer, as well as reduce the overall cost of operating our water distribution.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

? According to the Census Bureau, the City of Cherokee has a population of 1,476 with a Median Household Income of $44,531. This is less than the average Median Household Income of $55,449 for the State of Oklahoma. ? 20.9% of the population in Cherokee is over the age of 65. ? 15.5% of the population in Cherokee live in poverty. ? 20.4% of the population in Cherokee are disabled. ? 15% of the population in Cherokee are recorded as a minority. ? As a direct result of the pandemic, the supply chain has been severely affected, causing the price of materials to skyrocket. The price of PVC waterlines has tripled in price over the last 12 months. ? Because of the price of material, and the negative budgetary effect of current water loss, the City was required to raise its water rates to a population that largely consists of a vulnerable population. ? Without immediate assistance, the City of Cherokee is at risk of losing the ability to provide water to our citizens.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

? The City is familiar with the Compliance and Reporting Guidance for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and understands our reporting responsibilities. ? New meters will accurately measure water usage, new PVC lines will prevent water loss and reduce the amount of chemicals added to the water, monthly reports will compare water produced to water sold. The City will use current employees for reporting and tracking system performance and water usage. The AMI system will provide us a more efficient system, allowing meters to be read electronically where we are currently reading them manually.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma