BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
FRANKFORT — Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman wants officials to consider regionalization of Martin County’s water system.
Goodman put the idea on the radar during a quarterly meeting of a special Martin County Water District Workgroup earlier this month.
The workgroup, led by Goodman, comprises representatives from EEC, Martin County Water District, Alliance Water Resources, Kentucky Rural Water Associates, University of Kentucky, Big Sandy Area Development District, Martin County Concerned Citizens, and several engineering companies and law firms.
“I mentioned the last time we met in a quarterly meeting the concept of regionalization,” said Goodman. “That remains, I think, a very important concept that I think we all need to be thinking about.
It’s a necessary step, I believe, in order to bring a lot of revitalization that the governor is looking for to eastern Kentucky.”
Goodman called the situation “difficult.”
“We’ve located a few spots where new businesses could potentially locate,” stated Goodman. “However, utilities are often an important part of consideration there. Without good, reliable, sustainable, potable water, it’s unlikely in many cases that small business, medium business or industry really will take seriously some of these locations.”
Goodman said Martin County is by no means the only county that has difficulty maintaining its water system.
“But because the Martin County customers are very involved and because of the citizens group and their participation and because of the demands that we hear and we see in the paper, it gets a lot of attention,” said Goodman. “But this is a problem throughout Kentucky, and regionalization is one way to address it.”
Goodman said her office has begun speaking to legislators and other government officials about the concept of regionalization.
“Nobody thinks it’s a bad idea. It has, in fact, been undertaken with some success,” she said. “Regionalization is something very important that I want you all to keep on your radar screen.”
Goodman went on to say that historically some of Martin County’s problems were related to the intake at the river.
“My thought always, because I’m a bean counter at heart, is to look at the numbers,” said Goodman. “My thoughts always go back to ‘what does it really cost them to produce water? And what could they purchase water for? Could it be purchased cheaper than production?’ And I think anybody looking at Martin County’s annual reports would have to say, ‘yes, it can be purchased cheaper than it can be produced by Martin County.’”
One regionalization model is to allow Martin County to divest itself of the assets used for the production of water and let those be taken over by a regional authority, according to Goodman.
“It could be one county, two-county, five-county. It doesn’t really matter, but that model has all of the production controlled by one entity made up of individuals from all of the other entities,” Goodman said. “And then allows water districts like Martin County to simply distribute and take care of their distribution system, which looks pretty good on paper. So again, this is something I want people to think seriously about. And when they’re thinking about the future of Martin County Water District, I want them to be thinking about regionalization as a potential.”
Goodman said if it is something local officials would like to discuss further, she would be happy to come to the table.
“We have to be able to revitalize some of these communities,” she said.
Goodman also mentioned the recently-passed bipartisan infrastructure package that will send funds to counties, cities and communities that have been impacted by the downturn in coal.
“Martin County certainly has been impacted, as have other eastern Kentucky counties,” stated Goodman. “I would love to see them be able to utilize that money … I’d love to see them attract new industry, attract new business, improve all parts of their infrastructure.
“I’m just putting this on your radar screen. It’s not something I could do by myself. It’s not something you could likely do by yourself. But if enough people start talking about it, thinking about it, and maybe wanting to move in that direction, I think we can achieve some economies of scale. And we can likely spend every dime that is collected from the ratepayers of Martin County Water District toward regionalization.”
Kentucky Division of Water Director Carey Johnson said the bipartisan infrastructure law is a generational investment in water and wastewater across the nation.
“We recently received word from the EPA about the investment the EPA is looking to make in Kentucky over the next year,” said Carey. “Basically, it’s a five-year law, so we’re strategizing for the next five years on more or less implementing five new programs through the state revolving fund that have been established through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Overall I just want to communicate the generational investment and the opportunity I think that we have in the Commonwealth to take advantage of that.”
Alliance Water Resources Craig Miller gave an operational update.
Miller said it had been a rough year with disasters and many equipment failures, but Alliance continues to push forward it in a “positive” manner.
“The most significant impact has been the change in the culture of our employees in that they’re really starting to see some positive change, getting excited about the things that are happening,” said Miller.
Stephen Caudill of Bell Engineer gave an update on capital projects.
MCWD is currently constructing a concrete ramp and winch system for moving the raw water intake pumps up and down the slope at Tug River. The district is also upgrading the electrical building and installing telemetry, line reactors and instrumentation at the raw water intake.
At the water treatment plant, clarifiers 1 and 3 are being rehabilitated, and the outside chlorine chemical feed piping is being replaced along with the master meter.
Construction began Oct. 4 and should be completed by July 31, 2022, with Pace Contracting of Louisville performing the work.
Work to date includes complete demolition of existing treatment unit 1, removal of media from filters, removal of underdrains from treatment unit 1 at the water treatment plant.
At the raw water intake, work to date includes installing a silt fence, excavating for a concrete ramp, removing existing gabion baskets, pouring new valve vault walls, pump ramp and steps, demolition for new concrete landing around the raw water intake building, and excavating for concrete landing columns.
Miller said Martin County’s $411,000 Cleaner Water funding would primarily be focused on purchasing a generator for the water treatment plant.
Martin County Concerned Citizens Chairperson Nina McCoy asked if there was a plan to divert water from the high school tank to other parts of the county.
“The judge has promised the money to put the check valve in,” said Miller. “We do have a plan.”
Johnson said there are always enhancements that could be made as far as additional inputs in finding the funding needed to comprehensively update and upgrade all the infrastructure in the district.
“It’s no surprise to anyone, but Martin County has an infrastructure problem,” said Johnson. “The way the technical subcommittee can help is to find those resources needed to not only implement but to supplement the sustainable operations.”
McCoy mentioned that surrounding counties received Cleaner Water funds while Martin County had not.
“As you see from all that Craig has told you today, there’s a lot more that needs to be done here,” said McCoy. “So I’m just wondering, did we not apply for something or somehow don’t qualify? People are talking about, ‘why is the governor forgetting about us?’ So, we are getting some of that money?”
“Nina, I can say that it is one of the governor’s priorities to help support Martin County Water District,” said Ben Hale, Big Sandy Area Development District executive director. “That was one of the main priorities that the governor came into office communicating to the executive staff. That’s one of the main reasons that not only do we have these meetings, but you see the close coordination not only between all levels of government, including the district and the ADD.”
Hale said there were some announcements in surrounding counties, but the governor was within those areas.
“That doesn’t have any effect on what’s happening with Martin County, with your water program,” said Hale. “Believe me, you’ll be good.”
John Lyons from Gov. Andy Beshear’s office joined the discussion.
“Are we missing anything that folks would like to hear us speak to?” Lyons asked. “We put a lot of time and effort into this, into Martin County. I don’t think I have to remind anybody that this is unprecedented. This is the only water district in the state that’s getting this amount of attention, planning, and coordination among all these groups that we’ve put together here, but it’s prudent to ask the question for those on the call if there’s anything that we’re missing or if there’s any information that anybody would like to see us add in the future?”
McCoy asked if legislators had been invited to the quarterly meetings.
“I don’t know if we’ve reached out specifically,” Lyons said.
Lyons then opened the floor to Martin County Concerned Citizens.
McCoy expressed appreciation and talked about the regionalization concept, saying it might work to purchase water from Kermit, W.Va. However, she wasn’t sure that any district would be willing to take on the Martin County Water District.
“Regionalization is a complicated situation, especially in eastern Kentucky where systems are so spread out, and you have limiting factors,” said Lyons. “It’s something obviously that we’re looking at, but we’re looking for any solution possible for a problem that’s been in existence for a long time.
“Martin County citizens deserve reliable, clean drinking water just like everyone else,” Lyons added. “But Martin County isn’t the only district that has issues. We’re trying to turn over every rock here, not just funding, but solutions.”
McCoy said Martin County would love to be the poster child for what could be done.
“There’s a situation there,” Lyons said. “And this governor came in and wanted to address the situation because it has been going on for too long.”
The next workgroup meeting is March 16, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.