Governor Stitt issued a proclamation to the Dewar Public Works Authority for their commitment to sustainability in the water industry.
Dewar Public Works Authority was presented with a proclamation from Governor Kevin Stitt on August 18, 2020 for compiling their long range sustainability plan and for implementing efforts to become more economically and environmentally sustainable.
In 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt set forth a vision of an alliance agreement committing the Office of the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to work together to improve the sustainability of Oklahoma rural and small community water and wastewater systems. The Oklahoma Strategic Alliance was then created.
“The entire team at the Dewar Public Works Authority stepped up to the plate to tackle their long range sustainability plan with all the partners of the Strategic Alliance,” said Oklahoma Rural Water Association, Chief Operations Officer, J.R. Welch. “Thanks to their forward thinking, the system has a bright and sustainable future ahead.”
As part of the long range sustainability plan, representatives from ORWA, ODEQ and OWRB performed various analyses of the system and worked to implement plans that therefore create a living document for the system.
Dewar Public Works Authority has now improved their operating ratio from 1.01 to 1.59, completed a water loss audit and identified 5.891 million lost gallons of water per year, valued at $18,558. A leak detection survey was also completed and one leak was found and repaired saving 3.628 million gallons per year, valued at $11,430.72 per year.
“We commend Dewar Public Works Authority for stepping up to the challenge,” said Capacity Development Coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Brandon Bowman. “By implementing the findings and recommendations of the long range strategic plan, it shows other small systems around the state how they need to go to provide safe water for their citizens.”
The Oklahoma Strategic Alliance is proud of the progress the Dewar Public Works Authority has made as they work towards a more sustainable future. Over the years, Dewar has invested in their infrastructure, and through a series of grants from the OWRB, has saved more than $750,000.
“To date, Dewar Public Works Authority has benefited by more than $750,000 dollars by water board grants and principle forgiveness loans to help better their infrastructure,” said Joe Freeman, Oklahoma Water Resources Board. “We look forward to continuing to assist in the construction of future projects.”
For more information on the Oklahoma Strategic Alliance or sustainability services visit orwa.org or email okalliance@orwa.org.
— Written by JD Rosman
The Oklahoma Strategic Alliance was formed in 2019. Governor Kevin Stitt set forth a vision of an agreement committing the Office of the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to work together to improve the sustainability of Oklahoma rural and small community water and wastewater systems. For more information on the Oklahoma Strategic Alliance contact okalliance@orwa.org.
For more information contact:
J.R. Welch
COO
405.672.8925 | jrwelch@orwa.org
Randy Clark
Long Range Strategic Plan Project Manager
405.672.8925 | rclark@orwa.org
