The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Office of Environmental Services General Assistance Program (GAP) is funded through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help tribes develop their technical skills and administrative infrastructure to manage their environmental programs.  The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma gets financial assistance for capacity-building activities and GAP grants can complement and/or supplement other project and program specific grants.

Drinking Water Quality 

Water quality monitoring activities for the Tribal Water System as well as individual homeowner wells are continuously under way.  The following are some of the events that were conducted during the past year and that are being worked on currently. 

► Monitoring and maintenance activities for the Tribal Water System are conducted on a regular schedule. The wells are routinely sampled for bacteriological and chemical contaminants as required by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 

► The Tribal Water System well #2 has been upgraded and includes a new well house to enclose the well head and chlorination system.  Perimeter fencing was installed to secure the well head from livestock and other potential contaminants and to deter vandalism.  Funding for the project was through the USEPA Source  Water Protection Program.

Before Renovations                        After Renovations            

► Requests for funding to renovate well #1 located have been submitted to USEPA and the Indian Health Service.  Well #1 will be brought to the same standards as well # 2 when funds are available. 

Wastewater Facilities

► The Tribal wastewater collection system (sewer) is routinely monitored by the Office of Environmental Services and is in good working order.

► The wastewater disposal lagoon has significant erosion on the interior and exterior of the berms and plans are currently underway to provide stabilization to prevent further deterioration.  Funding for the project is through HUD-ICDBG funding and construction will be by the Indian Health Service, Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, Shawnee, Oklahoma.

► Sampling events were conducted for individual Tribal member wells.  The samples were analyzed for organic and inorganic chemicals, uranium, bacteriological, and other potential contaminants as required by USEPA. Homeowner’s were notified and recommendations made if results were above USEPA maximum contaminant levels.  

► Quality Assurance Project Plans have been approved by USEPA and an additional sampling event to analyze for inorganic metals in groundwater will be conducted in the near future.  The purpose of the sampling activities is to assist Tribal members with having quality drinking water and to develop a database of groundwater quality for future reference.

►The Office of Environmental Services is currently developing a Drinking Water Management Plan for the Tribal Water System.

 For further information on water programs and services or the Iowa’s GAP program please contact Ron Osburn or Amy West at 405-547-2402.