The City of Checotah is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $136,000 Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. This funding will be paired with a previously awarded $136,000 REAP grant from the Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD), bringing the total project funding to $272,000.

The combined grant funds will be utilized to complete critical infrastructure upgrades at the City’s wastewater treatment plant. Specifically, the project will focus on the replacement of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection modules, lamps, and associated equipment to rehabilitate the facility’s UV system.

Checotah’s wastewater treatment plant operates using a sequential batch reactor (SBR) system with aerobic sludge digestion, a process designed to efficiently treat wastewater while maintaining environmental compliance. The UV disinfection system represents the final stage of treatment, ensuring harmful bacteria are removed prior to discharge.

Engineering support for the project will be provided by Holloway, Updike & Bellen, Inc. of Muskogee, the same firm that originally designed and oversaw construction of the facility in 1998.

“This project is a necessary step to maintain compliance with state and federal discharge standards and regulations,” said Daniel Tarkington, Mayor of Checotah. “UV disinfection is a critical last step in the treatment process to remove bacteria before effluent is discharged into Elk Creek just east of Checotah. These upgrades will help protect both public health and the environment, and ensure our current plant continues to serve the community for decades to come.”

Ward 4 Councilman Jay Hayes, who assisted with the grant submission, added, “Grant funding such as this is critical in helping small communities, and it allows us to continue to provide some of the lowest water and wastewater rates in the state, thereby reducing the financial burden for vital utility services placed on our citizens.”

The REAP program, administered through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, is designed to assist rural communities in funding infrastructure and economic development projects. EODD serves as a regional partner, supporting communities across seven counties in eastern Oklahoma with planning, grant administration, and development services. City officials expressed appreciation for the continued support from both state and regional partners, noting that investments like this are essential to maintaining reliable infrastructure and supporting future growth in Checotah.