Municipalities come together to improve water infrastructure, reliability, and safety for citizens
The Osage Nation, the City of Pawhuska, and Rural Water District No. 21 have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish a cooperative partnership to improve water infrastructure and enhance long-term water service reliability for residents in Rural Water District No. 21 (RWD 21). Residents of RWD 21 have been under a boil order for over two years and experience intermittent water outages that range from a few days to months.
“This agreement represents what can happen when neighboring governments work together to address critical infrastructure needs,” said Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, who lives within RWD 21. “Reliable access to clean water is essential for our communities, and this partnership creates a strong foundation for long-term sustainability and future growth.”
The agreement outlines a collaborative framework to address current infrastructure challenges facing RWD 21, including inadequate service lines and aging water treatment equipment. The partnership will allow the three entities to coordinate resources, technical support, and future funding opportunities to strengthen regional water delivery systems and protect public health and safety.
Under the agreement, RWD 21 will oversee improvements to its existing infrastructure, including installation of a new six-inch pipeline connecting the City of Pawhuska master meter to the district’s existing standpipe near Highway 60 and County Road 5902. The City of Pawhuska will assist through infrastructure support, installation of an intertie connection, and coordination of regional planning. The Osage Nation will provide program-level coordination, technical assistance, and support in identifying grant and funding opportunities for future infrastructure improvements.
The agreement also establishes a process for future project-specific agreements related to funding, construction timelines, and infrastructure development as additional projects move forward. The municipalities emphasized that the partnership is designed to improve regional service delivery while allowing each entity to maintain ownership and authority over its respective infrastructure systems.
Photo description: Osage Nation, City of Pawhuska, and Rural Water District No. 21 officials’ initial collaboration meeting held on February 5, 2026, to begin talks on Rural Water District No. 21 solutions. The meeting took place at the Osage Nation Executive Building, and ultimately led to the Memorandum of Agreement adopted by the Osage Nation Congress on April 29, 2026, and signed by Chief Standing Bear on May 13, 2026.