Water Engineering

Water engineering for Oklahoma land development

MES provides water engineering in Oklahoma for land development and for the towns and rural water districts that serve it. We design distribution mains, storage tanks and pump stations, and we assess existing tanks and design their repairs.

We build hydraulic models to check pressure and fire flow before mains are sized.

How water permitting works in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) issues construction permits for public water supply work: water lines, wells, pump stations, storage tanks and treatment plants. When ODEQ asks for an engineering report, it is approved before plans and specifications go in. A permit can require a hydraulic analysis that shows adequate fire flow.

Some small extensions qualify for an exception. A city system's extension can qualify if it is 6 inches or smaller and no longer than 1,000 feet. A rural water district's extension can qualify if it is no longer than one mile and does not cross a stream, lake, pond, marsh or sewer line. Other limits apply.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) handles water rights. Using stream water or groundwater for anything other than domestic use takes an OWRB permit.

Work in Oklahoma

In Sasakwa, a small town in Seminole County, the town's water storage tank had peeling coating, rust and corrosion at the base. MES assessed the tank and wrote the engineering report that supported the town's grant application. We then prepared the recoating and structural repair plans and specifications and carried the project through bidding, construction and closeout in April 2026. See the Sasakwa water tank project.

Common questions

Does a new well for my development need an OWRB permit?

Yes, unless the water is only for domestic use. A well for a public water system also needs an ODEQ construction permit.

Does every waterline extension need an ODEQ permit?

No. Some small extensions by cities and rural water districts qualify for an exception, within size and length limits. Larger mains, storage tanks and pump stations need a permit.

How can a town pay for tank or main repairs?

Oklahoma's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, run jointly by ODEQ and OWRB, makes low interest loans to towns, cities and rural water districts. In Sasakwa, an MES engineering report supported the town's grant application.