Cleveland, Oklahoma — population 3,200 — relies on a small reservoir southwest of town for its water.

StateImpact had never heard of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer. Neither had any of the half-dozen or so Oklahoma City residents we asked outside the Utilities Department downtown.

So no camping at Eufaula and Sardis Lakes, among many other recreation areas important to local economies.

The parties have been negotiating outside of court since early 2012, and the case was stayed for a sixth time Sept. 17.

The Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes filed suit against the state more than two years ago, prompted by Oklahoma’s City’s attempt to pipe water northwest from Sardis Lake.

If the problems at the treatment plant aren’t addressed, Norman faces stiff fines of up to $10,000 per day to state Department of Environmental Quality.