Twelve projects funded in Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Trimble counties
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 26, 2021) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear awarded $16.5 million to deliver clean drinking water and improve sewer and water infrastructure from the Better Kentucky Plan’s $250 million Cleaner Water Program. The program is estimated to create approximately 3,800 jobs across the state.
Awards were presented to nine grantees to fund 12 projects in Henry, Jefferson, Oldham and Trimble counties. The work ranges from water main extensions, pump station replacements and upgrades to existing water infrastructure. A list of recipients, award amounts and project descriptions are found here.
“As we’re building a better Kentucky, modern infrastructure is vital,” said Gov. Beshear. “Today’s awards from the Cleaner Water Program will ensure we can continue attracting new investors and providing clean water and quality service for Kentuckians. These are top priorities for my administration as we work to improve the lives of our families and create opportunity in every corner of Kentucky.”
These four counties received the following award commitments:
- Henry County: $592,224 to fund three projects;
- Jefferson County: $14,079,994 to fund three projects;
- Oldham County: $1,565,673 to fund three projects; and
- Trimble County: $311,106 to fund three projects.
“Thank you to Gov. Beshear for more than $14 million in Cleaner Water Program grants. They will prove invaluable to our Louisville Water Co. and the Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) in providing infrastructure improvements to our residents, resulting in a better community for human and environmental health and safety,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.
“We are so thankful that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is back in the business of allocating funding for water and sewer infrastructure,” said Henry County Judge/Executive John Logan Brent. “Without state and federal help, rural communities like ours would never be able to expand and improve the infrastructure that is vital to promote economic growth.”
“We are very grateful to have new funding for water and sewer expansion in Oldham County,” said Oldham County Judge/Executive David Voegele. “With these funds, the county will be very close to having water available to every residence. There is still some distance to go with sewer service, but these funds are helping the county’s partnership with MSD move forward. I am very proud of the cooperative spirit among our utility companies and their close attention to improved service and environmental protection.”
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA), $250 million was appropriated at the close of the 2021 General Assembly through a bipartisan agreement for clean drinking water and wastewater grants to fund projects across Kentucky.
The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) submitted the funding requests for these projects to the KIA. With the exception of Oldham County, the $16.5 million funding award uses the counties’ entire county allocation from the Cleaner Water Program.
“Louisville Water is grateful for this funding that will help us maintain reliable drinking water service for thousands of people,” said Spencer Bruce, president and chief executive officer of Louisville Water Co. “Louisville Water is an anchor in the region; safe and reliable drinking water make it possible for every home and business to function. Louisville Water started as Kentucky’s first public water provider in 1860, and the Cleaner Water funds will help replace one of the oldest water mains in our system that was installed in 1892. The Cleaner Water funds are an important part of our larger effort to maintain the infrastructure that delivers drinking water to nearly a million people.”
Sample Projects
A $7,039,997 award to Jefferson County MSD will pay for a portion of a project to improve capacity at the Paddy’s Run Pump Station. The pump station, built in 1953, has exceeded its useful life as needs have exceeded capacity to best serve Louisville residents during flooding events. This project will upgrade capacity and install a discharge piping system over the existing levee. A new facility will minimize community, environmental and safety risks. Paddy’s Run Pump Station serves 214,500 people, 70,000 homes, 6,000 businesses and 40 neighborhoods.
“MSD is very appreciative of this investment in protecting public health and the environment through our vital wastewater and stormwater services that help ensure safe, clean waterways for the community,” said MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott. “The Cleaner Water funds will allow MSD to make significant upgrades at the Paddy’s Run Pump Station that protects 70,000 homes against flooding and sewer overflows during periods of heavy rains.”
In Trimble County, a $6,106 waterline extension project will make a drastic difference for five Kentucky households who will now have access to clean drinking water in their homes for the first time. Two of the homes utilize cisterns, while two other residences use two hand-dug wells. One of the residences that does not have water uses a creek for their water.
“I would like to thank the Governor and the General Assembly for appropriating these funds for rural drinking water and wastewater projects,” said Trimble County Judge/Executive Todd Pollock. “Small counties like Trimble County are doing their best to stay up to date, but with the rising costs of repairs it would be impossible without the funds. I would also like to thank the individuals from KIPDA, Jarrett Haley, Danielle Story and Justin Carter for their hard work to make this happen.”
The Governor also awarded a $909,500 Community Development Block Grant to the City of Bedford to support the Bedford Wastewater Improvements project. This project was also supported by CWP funds and will replace three water pump stations to better serve more than 300 customers.
About the Cleaner Water Program
A total of $35.2 million has been awarded to grantees to fund transformative projects since the call for projects was announced June 1. Water resource coordinators, representing Kentucky’s 15 Area Development Districts (ADD), and Area Water Management Councils and utilities are still invited to submit project profiles through the Water Resource Information System (WRIS) portal to indicate interest in funding from the Cleaner Water Program. Eligible government agencies, such as city-owned water or sewer utilities, water commissions, water and sewer districts and counties, may collaborate with a coordinator and council to submit a project. 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 process will be ongoing through Nov. 19, 2021, and 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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