City Celebrates Completion of Kaw Lake Water Treatment Facility
Published on August 21, 2026
ENID, OK (August 21, 2026) — The City of Enid celebrated a historic milestone today with the official ribbon-cutting of the Kaw Lake Water Supply Treatment Facility, marking the completion of the final major component of the Kaw Lake Water Supply Program—an investment that will provide a reliable, sustainable water supply for Enid and northwest Oklahoma for generations to come.
The new treatment facility completes a regional infrastructure program that includes a raw water intake at Kaw Lake, approximately 70 miles of transmission pipeline, a 10.5-million-gallon-per-day advanced water treatment plant, and distribution system improvements. Together, the system transitions Enid from relying solely on groundwater to a blended groundwater and surface water supply designed to meet the community's long-term needs while reducing demand on regional aquifers.
Garver served as the City's owner's representative, program manager, and lead designer throughout the development of the program. The firm's responsibilities included environmental studies, systems engineering, permitting, land acquisition, funding assistance, project controls, communications support, and design coordination across every phase of the project.
Chief Operating Officer Michael Graves said, “It takes bold leadership and vision to conceive, plan, and deliver a project of this magnitude. Garver is honored to have been one of the many partners who contributed to each one of those milestones for the Kaw Lake Water Supply Program.”
Garney Construction served as construction manager at risk for the program, working alongside the City and design team to deliver the multi-phase project.
“Garney is proud to work alongside the City of Enid developing a multi-faceted approach to providing a long-term water solution for the City and surrounding,” said David Burkhart, CEO, Garney. “The Kaw Lake Water Supply Program will ensure Enid’s residents and industries have access to clean water for years to come.”
The Kaw Lake Water Supply Program was made possible through the support of Enid voters, state and federal funding partners, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and numerous regulatory agencies and tribal partners who helped move the project from concept to completion.
"The City of Enid and its citizens have made a significant commitment to securing their water future. This project reflects the vision and long-term planning needed to ensure a reliable water supply for generations to come. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is proud to be a partner in that effort," said Director Julie Cunningham.
Today's ribbon-cutting marks the beginning of full operation for the new treatment facility following successful testing and commissioning. The City will continue blending treated surface water from Kaw Lake with its existing groundwater supply to provide safe, reliable drinking water while preserving regional groundwater resources for future generations.
“The Kaw Lake Water Supply Project is more than a pipeline or treatment facility.,” Mayor Mason said. “It is a commitment that Northwest Oklahoma will remain capable of supporting its families, protecting its military installations, attracting new industries, and growing for generations.”
For more information about the Kaw Lake Water Supply Program, visit Enid.org/KawLakeWaterSupply or contact the City of Enid Engineering Department at 580-616-7236.
About the City of Enid
The City of Enid is committed to providing reliable public services, responsible infrastructure investment, and long-term planning that supports residents, businesses, regional partners, and future growth in northwest Oklahoma.