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City Council voted on Monday evening to raise utility rates as a method to increase the city’s revenue in order to service a $8,745,000 loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) Financial Assistance Program (FAP). The City says the loan will finance critical infrastructure improvements needed to ensure regulatory compliance and strengthen Sapulpa’s existing infrastructure.
The increase in utility rates will be as much as 30% in some cases, but still keeps Sapulpa somewhere in the middle when compared to the rates of other cities for water, and on the high end in sewer rates compared to other cities.
Currently, the residential water rates within city limits amount to about $37.39 per 5,000 gallons. That’s relatively low when you compare it to the rates of nearby communities like Sand Springs ($39.46), Broken Arrow ($41.76), Owasso ($45.37), Jenks ($46.08), Glenpool ($46.80), and Bixby ($51.65). The new rate for Sapulpa will be $42.86, moving them ahead of Sand Springs and Broken Arrow, but still below the others.
Residential sewer rates within city limits are currently higher than average for surrounding communities at $37.52 per 5,000 gallons when compared to Jenks ($19.95), Glenpool ($25.00), Bixby($30.85), Owasso ($35.09), and Broken Arrow ($35.23), with only Sand Springs ($38.50) and Bartlesville ($55.03) being higher. The new rate of $41.17 moves Sapulpa ahead of Sand Springs, but still below Bartlesville.
What projects will the loan be used for?
A report delivered to the Sapulpa City Council’s Admin and Finance Committee on December 30th shed light on some critical needs in the city’s water infrastructure to meet regulatory requirements and support residential, commercial, and industrial growth:
Generators for Wastewater Treatment Plant ($1,000,000.00)
To ensure compliance with the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 252:626-15-3(a)(6), the City of Sapulpa must procure and install backup generators for its water and wastewater treatment plants. These generators will maintain critical operations during power outages, safeguarding public health by preventing disruptions in water distribution and treatment processes and avoiding untreated wastewater discharges that could harm the environment. This investment not only ensures regulatory compliance but also protects the community from potential health risks, environmental damage, and costly service interruptions, enhancing overall resilience and operational continuity.
East Side Sewer Main – 49th Street to Hilton Street ($3,291.928.00)
The 2014 adoption of Sapulpa’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan highlighted the need for a strategic approach to wastewater system expansion to support residential, commercial, and industrial growth while addressing long-term costs and infrastructure demands. Most of Sapulpa’s wastewater collection system serves the central city, while the northeastern area is covered by Taneha Utilities Authority (TUA), which treats effluent at Sapulpa’s WWTP. Other areas rely on septic systems, and significant new residential developments have reduced densities and increased costs. To meet growth demands, Sapulpa plans to expand and upgrade its wastewater system, focusing on gravity collection systems supplemented by lift stations where necessary. The city has requested a sanitary sewer analysis for future developments near 49th W Avenue and Hilton Road, aiming to determine the need for lift stations, force mains, and upsizing existing infrastructure. The study will evaluate system capacity, compliance with permitting agencies, and prepare a comprehensive report with solutions, cost estimates, and implementation strategies.
Ozark Sewer Main Extension – West Sewer Line ($3,535,933.00)
The City of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, serves a population of approximately 23,000 as the county seat of Creek County. Its wastewater system, managed by the Public Works and Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) departments, handles an average daily flow of 2.8 million gallons, with a majority of the collection system located centrally. Northeastern Sapulpa is served by the Taneha Utilities Authority (TUA), a rural sewer district that sends effluent to Sapulpa’s WWTP. Outside these areas, septic systems are common, but rapid residential development has prompted the need for expanded wastewater infrastructure to support growth and economic development. To address this, the City aims to proactively plan and upgrade its wastewater facilities, including assessing future needs near W. Taft Street and SH-66, as well as near I-44 and SH-33. A sanitary sewer analysis has been commissioned to evaluate system capacity, determine lift station requirements, and propose solutions for deficiencies, supported by cost estimates and implementation strategies. The total expected costs for this project are $5,010,600. The City currently has $1,474,667 in OWRB ARPA Funds to apply to the cost of this project which makes the FAP Loan funds needed $3,535,933.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades ($335,777.00)
The Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades include integrating nine lift stations into the SCADA system for enhanced monitoring and control, ensuring efficient operations. Repairs at the South Station will restore functionality by addressing two non-operational pumps, while the lift station pump at Castle Creek, Hill, South Station, North Station, and Nickel Station will be rebuilt to improve reliability and performance. Additionally, Nickel Station will undergo grinder repairs to enhance its capacity to handle solids effectively, ensuring the overall system operates optimally and sustainably.
Rate Changes
- Water Base Rate: Increase by 30% for residential and commercial customers.
- Water Incremental Rate: Increase by 10% for residential and commercial customers.
- Sewer Base Rate: Increase by 10% for residential and commercial customers.
- Sewer Incremental Rate: Increase by 30% for residential and commercial customers.
See more details about Sapulpa’s water rate schedule here.
Projected Revenue Impact:
The proposed rate changes are projected to increase annual city revenues by $1,125,297.85, providing enough funding for loan repayment and infrastructure sustainability. The report stated that strategic investment in water and wastewater infrastructure will bring several benefits to the community, including enhancing the capacity for residential and commercial users, supporting long-term growth and economic development, and reducing the risk of costly emergency repairs and disruptions.
The new rate changes will go into effect in March of 2025.
