"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Contributes to Westville Water Treatment Plant

WESTVILLE, OK - When a local community was in need recently, the Cherokee Nation stepped up and contributed $490,000 to assist with building a new water treatment plant for the city of Westville.

“The Cherokee Nation is pleased to offer financial support to ensure a better quality of living for the residents of Westville,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “This Oklahoma town was in need of a new water treatment facility. By partnering with other Oklahoma organizations, the Cherokee Nation played a part in seeing the need of the town and its citizens met.”

In 2000, the town of Westville experienced high containment levels that exceeded State and National standards. Residents who lived downstream of the discharge point complained of odor problems and were concerned over health issues related to the old community lagoon system. The grievances led to a Notice of Violation from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the town was ordered to correct the problems with the system. Because of the age of the system, a population increase and the possibility of future population increases, it was determined that a completely new system was needed.

“It was in 2005, that the Cherokee Nation was first approached by engineers representing the town of Westville, seeking contributions for a new, state-of-the-art, wastewater treatment plant,” said Smith.

Two years later, that need was met and a new water treatment facility has become a reality for citizens of Westville. The total cost of the plant was approximately $3.2 million dollars. The plant was completed with the financial support of the Cherokee Nation, a grant from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, a Rural Development Loan and a Rural Development Grant.

“This is one of the most important things we can do to help a community prosper,” said Senator Jim Wilson. “This improvement will reward this community with better jobs and a better quality of life.”

“I commend the efforts of everyone who made this happen,” said Jerry Efurd of USDA Rural Development. “I know it will pay dividends for years to come.”

“The Cherokee Nation is good to us,” said Brian Sitsler, Chairman of the Westville Utility Authority. “We thank them for this financial contribution. This support will benefit the town of Westville in more ways than I can say. Everything from quality of life to economic development will benefit from this new plant.”