Town of Cleo Springs

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Town of Cleo Springs will invest in their physical infrastructure, enhancing their capabilities of water service to residents by refurbishing their water tower. The water tower is corroding and starting to need costly repairs. Sanding and repainting the interior and exterior will save the town thousands of dollars in welding repair and water loss costs. The town is under a DEQ Consent Order for nitrates in the water. To be excluded from the consent order, they must install a booster pump to push water from Enid, OK to their residents. The town has been issued a violation from Oklahoma Department of Environmental Equality for nitrate levels that exceed the safe and healthy water standards. Receiving water from Enid, OK will fix this issue. These investments will build a safer, more capable water system for the town and its residents. It will also increase their opportunities for population and economic growth.

EVIDENCE

?Painting regularly ensures the continued reliability of water tanks and helps to prevent the spreading of bacteria and other contaminants along with rusting and deterioration on the interior.? www.pttg.com/tanks/water-tank-painting/ ?Excessive nitrate consumption carries a number of health risks. Methemoglobinemia, also known as a blue baby syndrome, is among the greatest risks... For example, high nitrate concentrations in drinking water can cause severe hypoxia in the body?Infants produce nitrites more quickly but are less resilient to its effects than adults.? The dangers of nitrites and nitrates in water - Biotoxin Foundation "Most small towns don't have the finances to run the legal challenges. "Nitrates a Costly, Persistent Problem for Small Towns, Iowa Public Radio

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Cleo Springs has a five percent higher poverty rate than the Oklahoma average and most people work in agriculture-related fields. During the pandemic, it was more challenging for residents of rural towns, like Cleo to get the groceries and fresh produce they needed. There was an increased demand for water due to residents quarantining at home and schooling from home. For the agriculture community, daily life didn?t change much except that payouts to farmers were reduced even though groceries and product demand were higher. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2020/09/24/americas-farmers-resilient-throughout-covid-pandemic

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by removal of DEQ consent order for nitrates in the water, reduced repair and maintenance costs on the water tower and improved water pressure from the booster pump. Cleo Springs is familiar with the Compliance and Reporting Guidance for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and understands our reporting responsibilities. All documents related to this project will be stored for reports. The reporting elements from the ARPA Reporting Fact Sheet will be used to report work completed on this project. All documentation will be kept, organized, and updated by NODA and the town clerk will complete the reports together, ensuring all required 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