The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) is pleased to announce the passage and signing of a historic suite of water policy legislation during the 60th Oklahoma Legislature. The enacted legislation addresses critical needs in water infrastructure, resource administration, and long-term funding, ensuring that Oklahoma remains competitive and prepared for the evolving demands of its growing population and economy. These measures represent the first major implementation of policy recommendations from the newly published Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (2025 OCWP), a ten-year update to the state’s 50-year prospectus for water security.
The Legislature approved nearly $73 million in water infrastructure funding, including the establishment of a new Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Investment Program with a $35 million appropriation. This program addresses critical gaps in the availability of low-interest capital funding and ensures that smaller or underserved communities can access the financing needed for essential upgrades and long-term infrastructure expansion. This crucial investment also includes $10 million for Rural Economic Action Plan water infrastructure grants; $2 million for a regional water project in northeast Oklahoma, and nearly $26 million from American Rescue Plan Act (a 2021 federal stimulus bill) interest earnings for infrastructure projects.
Following recommendations from the OCWP, SB 1509 was signed into law, empowering the OWRB to implement statewide groundwater well spacing and avoid potential well-to-well drawdown impacts. Additionally, with the signing of SB 1314, our state has taken a much-needed step to protect fresh groundwater sources by modernizing the Well Drillers Remedial Action Indemnity Fund that is used for the cleanup of abandoned, leaking, or improperly constructed wells. Additionally, a suite of new laws signed this session provides the OWRB with both the mandate and the funding to administer groundwater rights and enforcement activities.
“Passing these bills shows a shared commitment by our local and legislative leaders, the Governor, and the people of Oklahoma to address our complex water challenges,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB. “This legislation goes beyond administrative updates—it contributes to the foundation of water security that resilient communities and a growing state economy depend on. We are thrilled to see many of the major recommendations of the 2025 OCWP move off the page and into action.”
The OWRB sincerely thanks the many citizens who shaped the 2025 OCWP, as well as Governor Kevin Stitt, legislative leadership, and the bill authors who shepherded these vital measures through the session. Their dedication and expertise have laid a foundation that will benefit Oklahomans for generations to come.
