The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust in early April approved $653 million in capital funding toward improving the city's water and wastewater systems over the next five years. The plan, which will be financed through rate increases, includes $488 million in spending for water-delivery and water-treatment projects, with the remaining funding allocated for wastewater collection and treatment upgrades.
On the water side, the main drivers for initiating capital improvements include growth issues, ensuring that customers have adequate pressure and flow, and improving system strength and recovery during emergencies or failures, says Sam Samandi, engineering manager with the Oklahoma City Utilities Dept.