The City of Eufaula will get a $1.5 million WaterSMART grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, the only city in the state to receive a grant for this funding cycle, according to City Manager Jacob Foos.
The City of Eufaula will get a $1.5 million WaterSMART grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, the only city in the state to receive a grant for this funding cycle, according to City Manager Jacob Foos.
Of the 54 grant recipients nationwide, Eufaula is one of only fourteen that will receive the maximum grant amount.
Foos said Eufaula conducted a city-wide water analysis in 2018 to identify and prioritize the water system needs.
“Eufaula’s water loss rate ranges from 40-60%, which is due in large part to the age and type of the water lines which makes them more susceptible to breaks and leaks,” said Eufaula Public Works Director Jeb Jones.
In 2019 Eufaula received approval for a $7.185 million loan from the Oklahoma Water Resource Board to begin improvements to the water system.
The project is divided into several “packages.”
Package A, on the east side of town, is approximately 60% complete, according to Foos.
“(Contractor) Lone hickory Cattle began connecting customers to the new water lines on Jan. 27 and approximately 80 meters are now fed from new water lines,” Foos said.
The 2020 WaterSMART grant from the Bureau of Reclamation will help fund Packages B and C of the planned improvements.
The project cost estimate for Parts B and C is $4,032,571.
Foos said this will replace approximately 38,000 feet of water lines with polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC), which is rated the same strength as cast iron.
It will also include the installation of isolation valves that will allow line breaks to be isolated so that repairs can be performed faster and result in less water loss.
With the Water Smart grant the total investment in Eufaula’s water system will exceed $8.5 million in a three-year period.
“This will be a major boon for our community. It will help ensure that our water infrastructure can meet the needs of today and support Eufaula’s growth and prosperity for the next generation,” Mayor James Duty said.
The Bureau of Reclamation website explains the program named WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow):
“The American West faces serious water challenges. Wide-spread drought, increased populations, aging infrastructure, and environmental requirements all strain existing water and hydropower resources. Adequate and safe water supplies are fundamental to the health, economy, and security of the country. Through WaterSMART, Reclamation will continue to work cooperatively with states, tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts.”
Foos said, “The Eufaula City Council identified water infrastructure as their top priority for the community and their diligent work is being nationally recognized with this grant. The City is committed to improving the quality of life by providing a reliable and sustainable water system.”
Foos said the $1.5 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation will enable the city to replace even more water lines.
“The City will coordinate with Cowan Group Engineering and the Bureau of Reclamation for how the funds will be applied to the project and how to utilize the additional funds,” Foos said. “Those discussions will then be presented at a future Council meeting for final determination by the City Council.”
The City is also awaiting notification from Indian Health Services for $615,000 to also go towards the water system improvement projects.
Many improvements have taken place since the water line project began last year.
In addition to the installation of new lines on the east side of town, a booster pump on the hill of Swadley Drive has been replaced.
A ground storage water tank is on the hill and next to it is a booster pump.
The old pump was a few feet below ground, enclosed by a makeshift enclosure.
Foos said during heavy rains the sump pump in the enclosure frequently failed, causing the pit to fill with water and short out the pump’s motor.
Last year alone the meter was damaged at least twice, with each incident costing at least $1,500 and leaving customers on the hill to experience low water pressure until the motor could be repaired or replaced.
Cost of replacing the pump station was about $163,000, which is part of the $7 million water system improvement project.
The new station sits on a concrete pad above ground in a new enclosure to protect it from the elements.
Other developments
– Package D, a new generator, is 90% complete with a final inspection of the generator scheduled for March 18.
– Package E is pending the fabrication and delivery parts for the Water Treatment Plant filters. The current estimate is the middle of April.
