City of Fairview

PROJECT PURPOSE

Through regional collaboration, City of Fairview (City), Major County Rural Water District 1 (MCRW), and North Blaine Water Corporation (NBWD), bordering entities, seek shared water infrastructure stability. Critical Basis: City?s two-fold issue: A fragile, 1,000,000 gallon water storage tank - upon collapse, City has 3-day water supply. Since 1993, City has battled high nitrates, creating costly/timely water blending necessity. Well failure disrupts water supply. Since 2004 MCRW has experienced nitrate violations; solutions not financially feasible. NBWD struggles with critically low water pressure. These issues critically affect well-being of citizens/businesses in region, curtail business/industry sustainability and stymie growth. Solution: Through engagement of community stakeholders and identification of needed investments, a regionalization project between City, MCRW and NBWC has been created. The City (applicant) seeks funding for construction of (2) water storage tanks (City/MCRW), ion exchange water treatment facility and infrastructure improvements connecting to existing water wells/tower. Purpose: By increasing operating efficiency/mitigating system failure, reliable, clean water will be provided to citizens/businesses across 763 square miles, thereby securing regional economic stability, increasing economic growth/diversification, yielding recovery/resilience from COVID-19, which exacerbated the area?s economic base resulting in business closures, and provide protection from future natural disaster/pandemic shock to the region?s economy.

EVIDENCE

The EPA lists ion exchange, reverse osmosis and electrodialysis reversal as best available technology to address nitrate concerns in drinking water. According to Parkhill-Cardinal Engineering, given the inland location, low residuals from treatment is absolutely key which makes ion exchange the preferred process. Additionally, it is typically the lowest power cost of the three options. Oklahoma Rural Water Association as well as Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality are also supportive of this specific intervention for this region as evidenced with attached support letters.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The Project is in rural Northwest Oklahoma. Major County: 7,629 Population, 20.5% over 65, 13.4% in poverty. Blaine County: 9,429 Population, 20.2% over 65, 14.9% in poverty. Blaine County has an Opportunity Zone and (2) Tribal Jurisdictions. October 1, 2021, CBS News reported, according to CDC, the COVID-19 death rate in rural America was double that of urban communities. Fast forward to December 1, 2021: statnews.com, COVID-19 Tracker: data shows 239 deaths from Covid-19 per 100,000 in the US; Major County has 419 deaths from COVID-19 per 100,000, nearly double US rate per 100,000. Blaine County has 318 deaths from COVID-19 per 100,000. The deaths are incomprehensible. The economic toll is catastrophic to livelihoods. The region found itself flat on its back - a double blow of COVID-19 amidst a downturn in the oil/gas industry. While no stranger to boom/bust cycles; the severity of the downturn, coupled with the global pandemic, produced the first day in history (4-20-2020) when oil recorded negative prices - WTI fell to negative $37.63 by close. The worst disruption to global oil demand in history ? an industry on the verge of energy transition. COVID-19?s continued, unprecedented consequences appear long-lasting with numerous business closures.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project will be monitored by Class A Water Operator and comply with EPA/Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. Measureable project performance: correct/expected water quality through routine testing for contaminants; correct water volume between regenerations, and designed regeneration sequence. Project sets stage for economic growth. Performance based on new businesses, new jobs and increased sales tax. Data collection from Census Bureau, OTC and OESC online reports. All necessary ARPA documentation will be tracked, organized and recorded by City Manager, Clerk and Class A Water Operator (City of Fairview) and NODA. NODA and City will complete reports collaboratively, insuring all documentation is reported.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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