PURPOSE
The Oklahoma Rural Water Association (ORWA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist water and wastewater systems with day-to-day operational and management problems.
FORMED
ORWA was formed in 1970. Prior to that, rural and small utilities in Oklahoma had little, if any voice in legislative and regulatory issues. They also had no on-site technical assistance provider in the state to assist utilities with their systems needs. Today, more than 311 water and/or wastewater utilities are members of the ORWA.
MISSION
To enhance the quality of life in Oklahoma, through the development and delivery of services and programs, for the benefit of ORWA members and the rural people they serve. 3.98 million people are currently served in Oklahoma.
STAFF
As of the Rally, we will have 33 full-time employees on staff at ORWA including Water Circuit Riders, Wastewater Technicians and Trainers, Water Trainers and Source Water Technicians that provide on-site training and technical assistance to utility operations each day throughout the state.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Each year ORWA holds an Annual Technical Conference, an Equipment Expo, and a Fall Conference. During these events, classes are held for management, board members and office personnel, as well as for water and wastewater operators.
LEGISLATIVE
ORWA provides a legislative voice for water and wastewater utilities on issues at the state and federal levels during legislative sessions. ORWA is a member of the National Rural Water Association which brings all state rural water associations together to speak from one national organization at the federal level to ensure that rules and regulations are reasonable, practical and affordable for all systems.
GOVERNANCE
ORWA is governed by a 16-member non-paid Board of Directors. The State of Oklahoma is divided up into four regions, with four directors elected by those member systems to represent each region.
JIMMY SEAGO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CARLY CORDELL DEPUTY CEO/COO
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ARVIL MORGAN PRESIDENT
SHELDON TATUM SECRETARY
REGION 1
Jeff McIntosh
John Britton
Melvin Lawson
REGION 3
Kenny Lovett
Darrell Wootton
Larry Bogges
DENNIS MEYERS VICE-PRESIDENT
DARREN HUGHES TREASURER
REGION 2
Gary McGuire
Rick Boone
Jerry Gammill
REGION 4
Todd Ray
Robert Moore
Tom Whitaker
USDA CIRCUIT RIDERS
Since 1980, Circuit Riders have provided the primary assistance to small communities for the operation of safe and clean drinking water supplies and compliance with water regulations. This assistance protects the sizable investment the federal government has made in rural water infrastructure. Circuit Riders are in the field everyday helping systems with compliance, operations, maintenance, management, disaster response and training. The Circuit Rider Program has long been one of USDA’s most successful public-private partnerships, efficiently and effectively using appropriated funds to provide technical assistance and training to rural communities through state based nonprofit associations.
EPA SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT TECHNICAL ASSIST & TRAINING
Since 1977, small and rural communities have relied on local/ on-site technical assistance and training for compliance with the myriad of federal EPA regulations, avoiding EPA fines, and operating drinking water and wastewater supplies. According to small and rural communities, EPA-funded local initiatives are the most effective environmental protection efforts for drinking water, ground water and source water, ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Small communities want to ensure quality water and stay in compliance—rural water provides them the shared technical resources to do it.
EPA CLEAN WATER ACT COMPLIANCE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Small and rural communities have more difficulty affording public wastewater service due to lack of population density and lack of economies of scale. This challenge is compounded by the fact that rural communities have lower average median household incomes and often have higher rates of poverty. PL 155-270, enacted in October 2018, authorizes a new technical assistance program for small and rural communities to improve water quality, properly operate and maintain public wastewater treatment utilities and comply with federal Clean Water Act standards.
FY2026 REQUEST $35,000,000 $7,500,000 $500,000,000 $1,000,000 $35,000,000 $27,500,000 $1,638,861,000 $1,126,101,000 $20,000,000 $23,562,000
FY2025 SENATE REPORT $22,470,000 $35,000,000 $7,500,000 $496,490,000 $1,000,000 $32,700,000 $27,500,000 $1,638,861,000 $1,126,101,000 $0
FY2025 HOUSE REPORT $21,817,000 $30,000,000 $7,000,000 $496,716,000 $1,000,000 $35,000,000 $25,500,000 $1,203,013,000 $883,515,000 $20,000,000
FY2024 ENACTED $21,817,000 $35,000,000 $7,000,000 $595,972,000 $1,000,000 $30,700,000 $25,500,000 $1,638,861,000 $1,126,101,000 Language Included
FY2023 ENACTED $21,180,000 $37,500,000 $7,500,000 $596,404,000 $1,000,000 $30,700,000 $27,000,000 $1,638,861,000 $1,126,101,000 Language Included
Disposal Technical Assistance
Source Water Protection Program
& Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
& Waste Disposal Revolving Loan Funds
Drinking Water Act Technical Assistance
Water Act Compliance Technical Assistance
Water State Revolving Fund
Water State Revolving Fund
Rural Water Apprenticeship Program
