Southern Oklahoma Water Corporation

PROJECT PURPOSE

There is heavy demand for growth and development around Lake Murray State Park. Lack of water supply is preventing growth and development. Improved water supply systems are needed to support development of tourism, commercial, and residential areas around the State Park. The solution is to install a new Water Treatment Plant on State Park land that has a low recreational value, and that will be unobtrusive to locals, and that will support increasing tourism activities. The proposed location for the new plant is a discreet area near the western edge of the State Park, yet close enough to efficiently access the lake for raw water intake. The old water plant could be removed to make more useable space for recreation and tourism. The existing, old water treatment plant is located off Lodge Road near the State Park office, and Lake Murray Lodge. The old plant sits on an approximately 3.5-acre property that is lakefront, wooded, and would be much better utilized as recreational space. The existing water intake is very shallow causing the need for increased chemical usage to treat dirtier than usual water, especially during high rains. Please see the attached summary document for resulting benefits and other information.

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 treatment plants and systems across the State of Oklahoma. The project described in this request represents only a portion of all SOWC?s needs, but this has been determined to be among the highest priority today to resolve a substantial part the system?s constraint to be provide clean water into the future.

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 replacements of aging 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

The SOWC has an excellent track record (since 1969) of managing and reporting uses of public funds. It has accounting and systems already in place to collect data using a generally accepted methodology that will remain consistent throughout the required reporting period. The SOWC will be able to show how the replacement funds are used via its existing budget processes in accordance with the SLFRF approved Expenditure Categories, not to be used directly for pension deposits or debt service.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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