Lawton, OK – The City of Lawton has received $5.125 million through two EPA Federal Communities Grants to support construction of a new residuals dewatering process at the Southeast Water Treatment Plant. The federal funding will be combined with a $2 million state ARPA grant to help offset the $17 million project cost, which is currently open for construction bids.
The plant treats and distributes an average of four million gallons of water daily from Waurika Lake, with Lake Ellsworth serving as a supplemental source. At present, it lacks the capability to process leftover sludge, known as residuals, on site. Instead, these solids are transported to the Lawton Wastewater Treatment Plant.
While the wastewater facility has operated for more than 50 years, the city has invested $84 million into modernization efforts over the past two years. Phase one of the update is nearing completion, with a final walkthrough scheduled this week.
The upcoming project at the Southeast Water Treatment Plant will install specialized equipment designed to treat drinking water residuals, including filter backwash and treatment waste solids. City officials said the system will ease the burden on the wastewater facility, improve efficiency across both plants, and prepare Lawton for future water demand.
“This investment strengthens our City’s infrastructure and secures a dependable water supply for our community,” said Rusty Whisenhunt, Director of Public Utilities. “By treating residuals at the SEWTP with equipment tailored for drinking water processes, we ensure the long-term sustainability of Lawton’s water and wastewater systems.”
