Governor Stitt issued a proclamation to Rural Water District No. 5, Wagoner County for their commitment to sustainability in the water industry.
Rural Water District No. 5 Wagoner County was presented with a proclamation from Governor Kevin Stitt on November 16, 2021 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 (DEQ), Oklahoma Rural Water Association (ORWA), and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to work together to improve the sustainability of Oklahoma rural and small community water and wastewater systems. The Oklahoma Strategic Alliance was then created.
“We’ve learned a great deal regarding our system and our ability to operate sustainability,” said Arvil Morgan, manager, Rural Water District No. 5, Wagoner County. “The Long Range Sustainability Plan is a living document that grows as our system continues to grow so that we can sustainably provide water to future generations for decades to come.”
As part of the long range sustainability plan, representatives from ORWA, Oklahoma DEQ and OWRB performed various analyses of the system and worked to implement plans that therefore create a living document for the system.
Rural Water District No. 5, Wagoner County has improved their initial Capacity Development Assessment from an already impressive 88.1percent to 96.3 percent in 2020. Additionally, they identified and repaired water leaks saving $748,088 per year in production costs according to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
The Oklahoma Strategic Alliance is proud of Rural Water District No. 5, Wagoner County as they work towards a more sustainable future. Over the years, Wagoner County has invested in their system and have a current operating ratio of 1.71 and their depreciation is fully funded.
“We are proud of Wagoner County as they work to become a more sustainable system for the future,” said Programs Manager, Brandon Bowman. “Together members of the strategic alliance and their system have worked diligently to become sustainable and have the ability to provide water for generations to come.”
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.
