OKC Utilities addresses main breaks with stronger infrastructure plan
Published on July 08, 2025
In a typical year, the Oklahoma City Utilities Department anticipates 600 to 800 emergency water main breaks across its roughly 4,300-mile network of water lines. In fiscal year (FY) 2023, there were 591 emergency breaks repaired and 621 in FY 2024. At the end of FY 2025, which closed on June 30, there were a total of 1,101.
Several factors contributed to this recent increase in breaks:
- Pipe age: Most of the breaks are occurring in older parts of the system, especially pipes installed in the 1970s or earlier.
- Material corrosion: Before the 1990s, Oklahoma City primarily used ductile iron pipe. While strong at the time of installation, ductile iron is susceptible to corrosion from Oklahoma’s highly corrosive soil within certain areas of the city, which causes the pipe material to deteriorate more rapidly than in other parts of the city. Since the early 1990s, the City has transitioned to using corrosion-resistant materials such as PVC for water lines 16 inches and below. These small-diameter lines carry water from larger mains to homes and businesses and are often the most directly impacted when service disruptions occur.
- Environmental stress: Much of Central Oklahoma, including the OKC area, has expansive clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. This constant ground movement puts stress on buried pipes, especially older ones, increasing the likelihood of breaks. In combination with temperature swings and corrosive soil conditions, this creates a harsh environment for aging infrastructure.
“We’ve heard questions about whether high water pressure is causing the increase in line breaks, but our data doesn’t support that,” Utilities Director Chris Browning said. “In fact, average discharge pressure at our Hefner Water Treatment Plant— which serves the area of OKC with the most breaks —has gone down over time and currently runs around 88 psi. That’s well within regulatory standards and much lower than pressure levels at our Draper plant, which averages between 118 and 128 psi.”
What we’re doing about it
The Utilities Department has doubled its capital funding for water line replacements from what has historically been $10 million annually to $20 million beginning this fiscal year, which runs July 1 through June 30, 2026. Plans are already in place to increase the investment further to $30 million in FY 2027.
“Our crews work hard every day to restore service quickly and safely, but we also recognize the need for long-term solutions,” Browning said. “That’s why we’re investing more than ever in replacing the necessary infrastructure. These improvements won’t happen overnight, but they are part of a sustained effort to strengthen our system, reduce future breaks and better serve the people of Central Oklahoma for decades to come.”
In the meantime, we continue to:
- Monitor and assess break trends citywide
- Prioritize replacements where infrastructure is weakest
- Repair and install water lines using corrosion-resistant materials
- Maintain service and safety standards
- Operate pressure within required and appropriate ranges
- Respond quickly when emergencies arise
With the increased funding, Utilities will accelerate replacement efforts in areas most affected by recurring breaks and aging infrastructure. Replacement projects are scheduled based on data that considers the number of past breaks, pipe material and age, and other risk factors.
The department’s increased investment is built into its financial plan and won’t directly affect customer bills. The current rate structure is designed to support infrastructure renewal while helping avoid sudden spikes in rates as work ramps up.
“We understand how important water service is to everyday life, which is why we’re being transparent about the causes and intentional with our investments,” Browning said. “We’re taking a data-driven, citywide approach to ensure that every dollar goes toward building a stronger, more reliable system that serves both today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.”
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Media Contact: Jasmine Morris, (405) 297-1950, jasmine.morris@okc.gov