The OWRB Financial Assistance Division assists communities in their efforts to protect and conserve Oklahoma's water resources for current and future generations through cost-effective financial products, technical assistance and high quality customer service.
As of March 1, 2021, the OWRB Financial Assistance Division had approved 2,343 loans and grants for a total of $5,113,433,943. These financing opportunities have saved Oklahoma communities an estimated $1,688,150,193 over conventional financing options.
Who Qualifies for Financing?
Eligible entities include political subdivisions of the state, such as:
- Counties, towns, and municipalities
- Rural water, sewer, and irrigation districts
- Water conservation districts
- Public works authorities
- School districts
What Projects are Eligible?
- Water supply reservoirs
- Water storage tanks
- Water treatment, distribution systems
- Wastewater treatment/collections systems
- Brownfield remediation
- Urban stormwater activities
- Many other projects may qualify - Ask Us!
Loan Programs
The CWSRF loan program is funded by EPA capitalization grants, state matching funds, and bonds. The CWSRF is administered by the OWRB. The interest rate is approximately 60% of AAA market rate with 40% savings through federal subsidy. Learn more.
The DWSRF loan program is funded by EPA capitalization grants, state matching funds, loan repayments, investment earnings, and bonds. The DWSRF is administered cooperatively by the OWRB and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The interest rate is approximately 70% of AAA market rate with 30% savings through federal subsidy. Learn more.
The OWRB's long term, low interest revenue bond loan program offers a variable interest rate wth a fixed rate conversion option. This low interest rate is based on the OWRB's AAA credit rating. Learn more.
Note: a 0.5% administrative fee is added to all CWSRF and DWSRF loans
Grant Programs
The Emergency Grant Program is a point-based program designed to assist communities facing crises which threaten life, health, or property. Learn more.
The REAP Grant Program is a point-based program designed to assist smaller communities that lack sufficient fiscal capacity. Cities, towns, and municipalities with a population less than 1,750 are given priority. Rural water and/or sewer districts with less than 525 non-pasture customers are also given priority. Learn more.
Projects to be considered for this grant funding must demonstrate water efficiency and support drought resiliency within the community or water/wastewater system. Water efficiency encompasses conservation and reuse efforts, as well as water loss reduction and prevention, to protect water resources for the future. Learn more.
When Oklahoma is suffering from drought conditions and the governor subsequently declares a formal state drought emergency, the OWRB can offer limited grant assistance to alleviate related community impacts. Learn more.
Oklahoma's Emergency Drought Relief Fund, enabled through passage of Enrolled House Bill 1923 in 2012, provides funding for drought mitigation and related projects in Oklahoma in conjunction with a formal gubernatorial drought declaration. Learn more.
