The current state of Crum Reservoir in Martin County is a cause for serious concern. The reservoir has reached a possibly all-time low level, with dead fish strewn along its banks, painting a grim picture of the severity of the situation.
The absence of an intake pump at the river has become a primary concern for residents of Martin County. Relying on unpredictable rainfall patterns to fill the reservoir is an unacceptable practice. Spending thousands of dollars for occasional rental pumps is costly and burdensome to water ratepayers.
This is a crisis that should be treated as a crisis.
While Martin County Water District chairman Jimmy Don Kerr tries to maintain an optimistic tone, the reality is hard to ignore.
The water levels are even lower than those recorded during the state of emergency declared in January 2018. The reliance on rental pumps is simply a temporary fix that fails to address the underlying problem. It is crucial to implement a sustainable solution to prevent such water crises from recurring in the future.
The Kentucky Division of Water expressed “serious concern” in a report in 2021 when the reservoir was not as low as it is now. We need to see that same “serious concern” among regulators, board members, officials and management now.
The reservoir level currently poses a significant threat to the district’s water supply, and a dry spell in the summer could spell disaster.
Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty rightly points out that proactive measures should have been taken before the reservoir reached such critically low levels. Waiting until the situation becomes dire is not a viable approach when it comes to essential resources like water.
Officials and regulators must take immediate action to rectify the issue and prevent a future repeat.
Completion of the raw water intake project, which has been under construction for nearly two years, is long overdue. The lack of a projected finish date is unacceptable given the urgency of the situation.
The situation at Crum Reservoir should serve as a wake-up call for officials to prioritize better infrastructure and water management strategies. Neglecting to complete essential projects and relying on temporary solutions are not sustainable approaches.
The well-being and safety of Martin County residents depend on the responsible management of our water supply. We deserve a water system that can meet our needs consistently and reliably.