The Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma and Cherokee County in Kansas are forming a new water authority.

The Shoal Creek Basin Region Waste Water Authority will handle water treatment in the county. The tribe and the county say the authority will boost economic development efforts and help clean up the environment.

"We will improve our economic viability and quality of life for the region by ceasing to pollute the Spring River," Chairman John Berry said in a press release, The Joplin Globe reported.

A portion of the tribe's gaming facility extends into Kansas.

Get the Story:
Plans in the works to build new waste water treatment near Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma border (KOAM-TV 10/3)
Wastewater treatment group gets OK from Kansas attorney general (The Joplin Globe 10/1)