18-04-2025
Cherokee Nation invests $23.8 Million into water improvements across the reservation
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation's goal to bring clean water to its citizens hit a milestone, which was celebrated with the announcement of additional funds for the Mankiller/Soap Water Act.
Under the umbrella of the Cherokee Nation, the tribe has allocated $65 million for Mankiller/Soap Water Act projects. Out of these funds, Cherokee Nation has spent $23.8 million in the past four years to increase water quality access for citizens across the 14-county reservation. This includes $500,000 to help elders or those on low income with water utility bills and $25,000 to help install new water taps in homes under the new home construction program.
As part of the anniversary celebration of the Wilma P. Mankiller and Charlie Soap Water Act, Chief Hoskin announced an increase in spending under the act by $500,000 using the tribe's Public Health and Wellness Fund Act revenue.
The primary objective of the Mankiller/Soap Water Act is to provide access to water to Cherokee citizens who lack access to water systems. It allocates a minimum of $2 million annually, doubling the Cherokee Nation's general fund spending on water infrastructure projects. It prioritizes addressing deficiencies in water and wastewater systems, particularly in rural and underserved areas within the reservation.
Since the beginning of this effort, Cherokee Nation has surveyed nearly 2,000 citizens, examined 121 public water systems and 53 wastewater systems, identified more than 8,000 homes lacking public water access, and pinpointed the water and wastewater systems with the most deficiencies.
'Four years ago, the Cherokee Nation took a significant step forward with the Wilma P. Mankiller and Charlie Soap Water Act, a measure inspired by the enduring legacy of two visionaries who dedicated their lives to uplifting our communities,' said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.
The Cherokee Nation's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is tasked with conducting studies to identify citizens lacking access to reliable water systems and developing action plans to address these gaps. Of the 1,900 Cherokee Nation citizens who live on the reservation and responded to last year's survey, 120 self-reported that they had poor or insufficient water quality.
The clean water initiative was named to honor the legacy of late former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller and her husband, Charlie Soap, who were instrumental in water access projects in the 1980s. It was signed into law in April 2021 by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.
'Some city water departments had no maps, or had paper copies, so this is a new tool that can make water access extremely more efficient for everyone,' said Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh.
The Cherokee Nation has a digital map showing where it can tap into water-saving time and work efficiency.
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