Okmulgee County Rural Water District #1 recently returned home with several honors received at the Oklahoma Governor’s Water Conference. Over 500 attendees from around the state attended the event in Norman.

The team at RWD#1, located in Schulter, is made up of Systems Manager Chris Guynes, Chastity Woodall, Josh Deckard and Don Price.

Rural Water District #1 was awarded the prestigious Water for 2060 Award. The award program was developed to recognize exceptional contributions to the promotion and implementation of water use efficiency and conservation of the state’s fresh water resources.

The Oklahoma Rural Water Association stated that Rural Water District #1 represents what can be achieved when the staff and management of a water system commit to excellence in every aspect of operation. Their operations include pursuing active leak detection, energy efficiency, and participation in ORWA’s Apprenticeship Program which is training the next generation of water and wastewater professionals.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.

Besides Okmulgee County RWD#1, the other three winners of the Oklahoma Water for 2060 Excellence Award, signed by Governor Kevin Stitt were Oklahoma State University Extension’s Master Irrigator Program, Johnston Seed Company of Enid, and the City of Edmond.

Rural Water District #1 was recognized for setting the standard for excellence for small systems in rural Oklahoma through a suite of strategies, including infrastructure modernization, system audits, proactive management, and long-range sustainability planning to achieve and sustain maximum efficiency.

Rural Water District #1 serves 758 taps through about 58 miles of water lines. The district received an infrastructure Leakage Index of 0.8, considered to be outstanding and representative of high levels of active leak control by the American Water Works Association.

Additionally, they are currently participating in the Oklahoma Rural Water Association’s apprenticeship program to ensure that future workforce will keep the system operating at these high levels of efficiency.

Rural Water District #1 received a commendation from Governor Stitt in for completing a Sustainability Plan and was named “System of the Year” for 2023 by the ORWA.

The System of the Year honor is awarded to a member system that has displayed outstanding achievement in all areas of operating a water/wastewater system.

The team at District #1 are proud of their accomplishments over the years, and continuing work to improve their system.

The department is working on a federal infrastructure grant that will replace five miles of the main water line connecting to Okmulgee, who supplies their drinking water.

Rural Water District #1 covers Schulter, Pleasant Valley, Colton, and the Wilson community, to just outside Henryetta. There are three water towers and two main pump stations servicing the community.

Guynes stated that the district has not only reduced leaks, but “we’ve reduced our power usage. We’ve reduced everything down to where we’re able to afford to remain open. We are able to service our community, we’re able to still grow with our community and keep our water loss at a minimum so we’re not wasting it – that’s the main thing.”

Though a small department, their work has been noted statewide, and improvements are underway right now. A grant, according to Guynes, helped the district acquire several generators that have or currently are being installed.

“Which means,” Guynes said, “if there is no electricity, we will still be able to provide water to our customers.”

Guynes and Woodall recalled the ‘nighmare’ situation several years ago when a record cold snap caused major problems, frozen water lines, lots of water leaks, and customers without water for almost five days.

Crews were kept busy finding leaks and shutting off water due to the fact the towers couldn’t keep up with the demand.

That is something they hope will never be repeated so the installation of propane generators will assist in helping keep customers supplied.

With the assistance of technology and electric meter reading system, any excess use for a typical customers could be researched and the client can be informed there is a problem on their end.

Guynes, who has been with the department for 10 years, praised the staff for their hard work. Woodall has been at RWD#1 for thee years, operators Josh Decker for three years, and Don Price, with 17 years employment.

“Josh has been here and is going on the start of this third year,” Guynes said, “and he is enrolled in the ORWA apprenticeship program, which they will bring they send him to training. He’ll have the aspect of running the place, you know to certain to a certain point, but this stuff he’ll learn over the years as we go to fill in later if I was to retire, right if something were to happen to me or something… ORWA is a big help.”

RWD#1 is also able to give assistance to other water districts in the county, or receive help if needed. Most recently, Guynes was able to use their backhoe to assist Preston Water District with their repairs.

Rural Water District #1 is proud to continue their work around the county and in making sure they take care of their clients, now and into the future.

— More Information about the ORWA 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 the member systems, to represent each region, with one at-large director.

The ORWA conducts over 170 training classes each year totaling more than 1700 classroom hours. Approximately 3300 people from nearly every system in the State of Oklahoma attend these classes. These classes include Board Member Training, Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Training, Laboratory Certification Training and Management Training.

ORWA has a staff of 32 employees including Water Circuit Riders, Wastewater Technicians/Trainers, Water Trainers and Source Water Technicians that provide on-site training and technical assistance to utility operators each day throughout the state. ORWA staff conduct approximately 1900 technical assistance visits to water and wastewater systems each year. Our staff has a combined experience of over 400 years.

ORWA provides a legislative voice for water and wastewater utilities on issues in 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 insure that rules and regulations are reasonable, practical and affordable for all systems.