PONCA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, today applauded a new partnership between the Osage Nation, the City of Pawhuska and Rural Water District No. 21 to find solutions to water infrastructure issues that have plagued an area west of Pawhuska for years.
Coleman said the Memorandum of Agreement approved this month will allow the three entities to pool their resources to address aging infrastructure that has led to an ongoing boil order, water line breaks and water outages.
“This partnership is a huge step toward providing residents and businesses in the Pawhuska area with consistent access to clean water,” Coleman said. “Water is one of the basic building blocks of a strong community, and I appreciate the Osage Nation’s willingness to work with local leaders to address these infrastructure issues. As a community, we are stronger when we work together. This collaboration is just one great example of how local governments and the Osage Nation have a long history of working better by working together.”
Pawhuska, the Osage Nation and the rural water district will work together to coordinate resources and explore funding opportunities to address issues, including inadequate water lines and aging water treatment equipment.
Coleman added that aging and deteriorating water infrastructure, especially in rural municipalities, has become a serious issue across Oklahoma. To help cities and towns tackle a backlog of water projects, the Legislature included $45 million in new funding for low-interest loans and Rural Economic Action Plan grants in the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Coleman added that he was proud to support this investment in critical water infrastructure.
“Repairing and replacing old water systems is one of the biggest long-term challenges in rural Oklahoma because the project costs quickly add up for communities with limited financial resources,” Coleman said. “All Oklahomans should have clean water and reliable service at home, and this funding will help make that possible.”
