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RESOLUTION R-1819-20: A RESOLUTION OF THE NORMAN UTILITIES AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN TO SUBMIT A BUREAU OF RECLAMATION (BOR) GRANT APPLICATION FOR WATERSMART: TITLE XVI WATER RECLAMATION AND REUSE PROJECTS GRANT APPLICATION TO THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.
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BACKGROUND: Lake Thunderbird is a Federal lake managed by the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (COMCD). In 2012, COMCD applied for and received a grant from the BOR for the Title XVI (2012) Project - ‘Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District, Lake Thunderbird Water Reuse Feasibility Study’, which identified the need for augmentation of potable water supply in Lake Thunderbird with highly treated municipal reuse water.
In 2014, the Norman City Council acting as the Norman Utility Authority (NUA) adopted the 2014 Norman Strategic Water Supply Plan (SWSP). The goal of the SWSP is to provide a long term sustainable water supply for the City of Norman that has the potential to meet water demands for the next 50 years. After much research, numerous public meetings and community input, “indirect potable water” reuse was chosen as a viable long term water supply, by discharging highly treated reuse water through tributaries to Lake Thunderbird.
The BOR provides funding through the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects program for projects that reclaim and reuse municipal, industrial, domestic or agricultural wastewater, as well as impaired ground or surface water. The opportunity for the continuation of the 2012 Title XVI ‘Study’ could result in funding (if the application is approved) up to 25% of the total cost of a planned 2-year pilot testing and demonstration project at the Norman Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). The NUA has selected Garver Engineering for the engineering services to develop plans for the testing and demonstration project.
On June 19, 2018, the NUA submitted a request to the BOR to adopt the COMCD 2012 BOR-approved ‘Lake Thunderbird Feasibility Study’. With the adoption of this study (notice from BOR dated June 22, 2018), the NUA can request additional Federal assistance for the subsequent phases of the planned expansion of water reuse at the Norman WRF .
DISCUSSION: This is an opportunity to apply for Federal funding assistance, which if secured, would greatly improve the ability for NUA to continue with the reuse pilot project and possible future development of a full scale reuse project.
The BOR’s intention in requesting an Official Resolution is to verify:
1. The identity of the official with legal authority to enter into a financial assistance agreement;
2. The board of directors, governing body, or appropriate official who has reviewed and support the application being submitted;
3. The capability of the applicant to provide the amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the funding plan; and
4. That the applicant will work with the BOR to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative funding agreement.
The application and resolution do not commit the NUA to accepting funds. Such a commitment would be required if and when the NUA entered into a grant agreement; a decision that would return to Council for approval if the grant is secured.
RECOMMENDATION: NUA staff recommends the Norman Utilities Authority adopt Resolution R-1819-20 authorizing the submittal of a Financial Assistance Application to the United States Bureau of Reclamation for the WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects and to potentially enter into a financing agreement under the program.