Southern Oklahoma Water Corporation (SOWC)

PROJECT PURPOSE

There is heavy demand for growth and development around Lake Murray State Park. Lack of water supply is preventing that growth and development right now. System upgrades are critically needed to support development of tourism, new commercial, retail, and residential areas in and around the State Park. The water system suffers from a lack of capacity due to inefficiencies caused by decrepit and undersized water main lines. Three new water main lines are critically needed to handle increased demand due to growth to the north and east of Ardmore. These mains, as well as Lake Murray State Park, are supplied by the treatment plant at the Ardmore Municipal Airport (ADM). The treatment plant at ADM is not able to properly clarify water due to increased demand. The facility also has no backup power ? it cannot operate when the main power supply is down.

EVIDENCE

SOWC has engaged David B. Wyatt, P.E. of WDB Engineering to evaluate and recommend improvements to the water systems that it manages. Mr. Wyatt has an excellent reputation from decades of work on water systems across the State of Oklahoma. The projects described in this request represent only a portion of all SOWC?s needs, but these have been determined to be the highest priority today to resolve a substantial part of the system?s constraints.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This investment will affect rural areas of a region of benefit that covers most of Carter County, a large portion of Love County, and part of Marshall County. This project is a major opportunity for creation of social equity and economic growth in an historically disadvantaged and diverse region of the United States via improvements to existing infrastructure. 10% of the definable region of benefit live in an Opportunity Zone, and have a poverty rate of 14.3%, which is well below the average of 10.5%. According to Stats America, Carter County has a Per Capita Personal Income of $43,578, which is more than 13,000 less than the national average. 5,219 people live within this opportunity zone, equaling an 11.1% unemployment rate, compared to the national average of 8.7%. In January of 2021, Carter County ranked #1 in COVID cases per capita in Oklahoma and #7 in the United States. This project exists in the Chickasaw Nation sovereign territory. COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on certain ethnic groups, including American Indians. The infection rate for COVID-19 in Oklahoma was over 65% for American Indians compared to whites, and the death rate was 33% higher.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

This project?s success will be measured by the number of new meters that can be installed, the improvements in water quality and quantity to existing users, and the resulting economic growth from all. It is anticipated that these improvements will positively affect the area?s tourism sector, which will in turn generate new jobs and economic benefits for the region that will be measured in the reporting and analyses of local economic development organizations, as well as the Oklahoma Departments of Commerce and Tourism.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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