Tulsa Standard

Kenneth Schwab, Assistant City Manager of Operations, has been appointed by Speaker Charles McCall of the Oklahoma House of Representatives to serve on the Water Quality Management Advisory Council (WQMAC) serving the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).  

WQMAC reviews water quality regulations and suggests potential changes to the Environmental Quality Board.  

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Broken Arrow to help be a voice for local governments within the State of Oklahoma and to provide input regarding potential impacts of environmental regulations implemented at the state level on municipal governments, both large and small," Schwab said.  

The council is comprised of 12 individuals from various sectors, including local government, oil and gas, engineering, agriculture, private laboratories, operators of municipal water or wastewater facilities, operators in rural water and sewer districts, and environmental groups. 

"Kenny Schwab possesses all the qualities needed to be successful serving on this ODEQ Council," said Rep. Ross Ford of Broken Arrow. "He has served the City of Broken Arrow for 13 years, first as an engineer and then as Assistant City Manager. He has vast experience designing and operating water and wastewater treatment facilities for public entities. Kenny will represent local governments on behalf of the Speaker and the House of Representatives well in this position." 

The members of WQMAC are selected by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The council holds three meetings yearly in January, May, and October and serves three years.  

"This is exciting news for Kenny and the City of Broken Arrow,” City Manager Michael Spurgeon said. "Kenny is recognized as one of the leading engineers in all facets of public infrastructure in our state, especially regarding water quality, stormwater management, and sanitary sewer disposal. I could not be happier that he will now be assisting ODEQ as it develops policies that will aid our citizens’ critical endeavors to protect the environment." 

Currently, WQMAC has input over 13 chapters and one proposed chapter of rules, which includes guidelines for public water supply, industrial and municipal wastewater construction, treatment and discharge, pretreatment, biosolids, drinking water state revolving fund, small public and private systems, underground injection control, and the implementation of water quality standards.

Schwab says he is excited to represent local governments within the state. "I am honored and thankful to Speaker McCall for this appointment and his words of wisdom regarding the fulfillment of these duties,” Schwab said. “I look forward to bringing my 30-plus years of experience to the table and working with the other council members in this capacity."

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