By SHARON K. HALL
Knott County Water and Sewer District (KCWSD) is now on a fast track to expand the Carr Creek Water Treatment Plant (WTP) capacity from 2 million gallons of water per day to 4 million gallons per day. The project consists of installing intake pumps, high service pumps, new storage tank, etc. The upgrade is necessary before adding new water lines extensions.
In a KCWSD board meeting last Wednesday Engineer Ron Johnson said a lot of the material and equipment needed to upgrade the capacity would be delivered to the plant in November and December.
The water project along the main route of Highway 582 has been completed. Residents in all the branches of Highway 582 including Branham’s Creek and Phase I Red Fox including Big Smith Branch will have potable water available soon. Bidding of the project is currently publicly bid.
The environmental assessment is almost completed for the Pippa Passes project. The contractor has a few documents to complete before the project can be designed.
The Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) has found that agency eligible, pre-1982 mining has impacted much of the groundwater in different areas of Knott County, making these areas eligible for AML waterline assistance.
KCWSD attorney Calvin Randall Tackett opened a discussion about the past due balance of the City of Hindman account. Tackett informed the board he met with the mayor, attorney, and accountant of the city. Hindman offered to keep current on their account plus pay $1,000 a month toward the arrears for the remainder of the contract between KCWSD and Hindman. The contract is due for renewal in two months.
Director Alice Ritchie said, “I think they are making a good faith effort.”
Tackett added, “They have paid in full debts legally required to be paid. Now they have a better cash flow. They did ask for the bill to be adjusted to the 20th as the pay date.”
Representatives of the Troublesome Creek Environmental Authority (TCEA) approached the water board about taking over the operations of the Ball Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. TCEA was formed with representatives from Knott, Perry, and Breathitt counties to work on a project to construct wastewater treatment plants in Knott, Perry and Breathitt counties that will…
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