The City of McAlester officially took over daily operations of its Water Treatment Plant on July 1, 2024, to regain control over vital infrastructure and mitigate risks of damage to private and public infrastructure. The decision to assume control of the plant’s operations follows an extensive evaluation process and strategic planning effort aimed at enhancing the efficiency and reliability of McAlester’s water treatment services. The City now directly oversees the day-to-day management and maintenance of the facility, leveraging local expertise and resources to deliver optimal performance and safeguard public health.
“We are excited to take this important step in managing our water resources more effectively,” City Manager Dave Andren said. “By bringing the operations of the water treatment plant in-house, we can better oversee the processes and ensure that our community receives the highest quality water. This move will enable us to respond more swiftly to any issues and implement improvements that directly benefit our residents.”
The Water Treatment Plant treats around 3.5-5 million gallons per day to provide drinking water to about 28,000 people in the City of McAlester and five rural water districts (Rural Water Districts 5, 6, 7, 9, & 16).
A team of experienced professionals is now tasked with maintaining the plant’s operations in compliance with state and federal regulations while also seeking opportunities to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The City is working with Infrastructure Solutions Group and Public Service Co. of Oklahoma to convert the plant to an electrical system that will be a huge step in a plan to improve efficiency at the plant, save on electric usage, resolve issues with replacement part availability, allow control throughout the system, and other issues identified after a water emergency in 2023.
Progress also continues on a major waterline replacement project funded through the $32.5 million Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF) waterline improvements that city voters approved in 2019. These waterline improvements are vital in updating City infrastructure and are the first of many steps in the process of growing toward the future with upgrades to infrastructure including the sewer system and our roads.
