PARIS, CARLISLE, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear awarded $993,697 to two cities and one water utility in Bourbon and Nicholas counties to deliver clean drinking water and improved sewer and water systems from the Better Kentucky Plan’s $250 million Cleaner Water Program. The program is estimated to create approximately 3,800 jobs across the state.
“Funding through the Cleaner Water Program is supporting our local communities in their efforts to provide clean, efficient drinking water and wastewater services to their communities.” said Gov. Beshear. “We are very proud to support them as we work together to build a better Kentucky.”
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA), $250 million was appropriated through a bipartisan agreement at the close of the 2021 General Assembly for clean drinking water and wastewater grants to fund projects across Kentucky.
“Clean water is oftentimes an infrastructure foundation we take for granted. I’m so pleased that both Bourbon and Nicholas counties will be able to improve our infrastructure so our communities will continue to flourish,” said Sen. Stephen West, whose district includes both counties.
“The Cleaner Water Program is fundamental to ensuring the people of Bourbon County and Nicholas County will have clean drinking water and adequate wastewater systems,” said Rep. Matthew Koch, whose district includes both counties. “The money for this program comes from the ARPA funds allocated in last year’s budget. Since these were one-time COVID-relief funds, we knew we had only one chance to get it right – and we did that with funding for programs exactly like this one. The improvement of Kentucky’s infrastructure is extremely important, and I am happy that the money is going to a program that will benefit every Kentuckian.”
The Bluegrass Area Development District submitted the funding requests for all projects to the KIA. Awards were presented to the cities of Paris and Carlisle and to the Nicholas County Water District. Projects include:
City of Paris
An investment of $726,735 will be used to extend the sanitary sewer system along Millersburg Road, which will serve approximately 300 acres of land designated for park use. The project includes a pump station and main line to transport wastewater from the park area to the existing Paris wastewater collection system.
“Bourbon County is thrilled to receive the allocation for the Cleaner Water Program,” said Bourbon County Judge/Executive Mike Williams. “The $729,000 is targeted to extend the City of Paris sanitary sewer infrastructure out Millersburg Road to the county’s park property. We look forward to seeing the project benefit residents and farmers in that direction as well as enhancing our capability for economic development and quality of life for Bourbon County citizens. We appreciate the Governor’s thoughtful, generous and fair handling of available resources for all Kentucky counties. We are truly honored to have him here in Bourbon County to make this presentation to the Paris City Commission and the Bourbon County Fiscal Court partnership to benefit all our citizens.”
City of Carlisle
A total of $93,435 will fund improvements to the area’s water intake system and pump station that will increase the reliability of the city’s water source and support maintenance of the system.
The city also will invest an additional $93,435 to replace approximately 1,750 feet of unlined cast iron water main with new pipe to reduce maintenance, water loss and hazards associated with periodic main line breaks.
Nicholas County Water District
Funds totaling $40,046 will be used to replace two water storage tanks and approximately 8,400 feet of aged water main from Hickory Ridge to the City of Carlisle. Combined, these improvements will help the system operate at capacity and be fully efficient.
The water district will receive an additional $40,046 to install new water line connections, approximately 24,000 feet of water main, a pump station and master meter vaults. These improvements will allow the district to purchase additional water to support their customers with reliable service and reasonable rates.
“We, the people of Nicholas County, are truly grateful for the continued, generous support from Gov. Beshear and his team,” said Nicholas County Judge/Executive Steve Hamilton. “Recent events in our community have emphasized the great worth of clean water – such a valuable resource. The Cleaner Water Program funding award will enhance our efforts to promote, protect and rebuild.”
About the Cleaner Water Program
A total of $60 million has been awarded to grantees to fund transformative projects since the call for projects was announced June 1. Eligible government agencies, such as city-owned water or sewer utilities, water commissions, water and sewer districts and counties, collaborated with their local Area Development Districts and Area Water Management Councils to submit projects for Cleaner Water Program funding. There are 713 public drinking water and wastewater utilities in Kentucky.
Cleaner Water program funding is allocated in three ways:
- $150 million based on each county’s proportion of the state’s population, with the exception of Jefferson County’s share, which is discounted by 50% based on its high per capita allocation from the federal act. A list of the allocations by county can be found here.
- $50 million is available for utilities to provide drinking water services to unserved, rural customers or to utilities under a federal consent decree. The KIA shall consider social, economic and environmental benefits in determining the allocations.
- $49.9 million is available to supplement a project grant for a project with a cost in excess of a county’s allocation amount and other available grant sources. The social, economic and environmental benefits shall be considered in determining project allocations. KIA will receive $75,000 to administer the grant program.
The application deadline was Nov. 19, 2021; however KIA will make awards continuously throughout the year. All grant awardees must obligate the funds by Dec. 31, 2024.
The American Society of Civil Engineers in 2019 projected that Kentucky faces nearly $14.5 billion in water/wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years, including over $8.2 billion in drinking water upgrades and $6.2 billion in sewer system improvements.
Information about the Cleaner Water Program, as well as grants for high-speed internet expansion, school facility upgrades and vocational education center renovations, can be found at governor.ky.gov/BetterKy.
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