Earlier this year, wildfires across our state caused profound devastation. Entire communities were displaced, and countless families faced the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
In response to this crisis, personnel from Sardis Lake Water Authority, ORWA, and Pawnee District #2 collaborated to provide critical assistance to those affected. Our teams engaged directly with residents, offering support in various forms—ranging from shutting off water meters and repairing infrastructure to simply being present and listening as individuals shared their experiences and emotions. Despite the overwhelming losses, many expressed deep gratitude for having survived.
This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role played by first responders and a strong argument that water and wastewater operators are essential personnel and are first responders. After all, it is difficult to fight fire without water, and safe water is necessary to protect public health.
We are proud of our team’s dedication and were honored to contribute to the recovery efforts in Pawnee and Creek Counties. However, let this serve as a reminder – natural disasters do not operate on schedules. Every water and wastewater system needs to be disaster-ready, and ORWA and our partners are standing by, ready to help no matter what nature throws your way.