-
Martin County lands historic $26M WWATERS funding
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For years, Martin County’s water crisis was measured in indignities. Brown water in bathtubs. Buckets carried up hillsides. Faucets that could not be trusted. A community forced to document its own hardship again and again, hoping that somewhere beyond the mountains, someone in power would finally pay attention.
-
PSC was right to say not yet
The Kentucky Public Service Commission made the right call. On April 8, the PSC denied the Martin County Water District’s request to end state monitoring and close the long-running case that has tracked this county’s water system through years of failure, crisis and costly repair. That decision may frustrate local officials but it is the
-
PSC opens enforcement case over Martin County Water District unapproved truck lease
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Public Service Commission has opened a formal investigation into the Martin County Water District, five current or former commissioners and an Alliance Water Resources manager over allegations the utility entered into a truck lease without first obtaining state approval required by law. In a March 31
-
PSC rejects Martin County Water District request to end monitoring
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Kentucky Public Service Commission has denied the Martin County Water District’s request to end state monitoring and close the long-running oversight case, ruling that the district has not yet shown it can operate without continued scrutiny or without the support of its outside management company, Alliance Water
-
Legislation heads to governor with nearly $26 million for Martin County water, sewer projects
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Legislation that would release $25.8 million for eight Martin County water and sewer projects cleared the Kentucky General Assembly on Tuesday, moving to Gov. Andy Beshear. The measure, House Joint Resolution 81, would release $52,502,260 statewide in previously appropriated funding through Kentucky’s Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled
-
Water chairman questions vacant AWR manager post
District pays Alliance $181,550 monthly BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The search for a district water manager remains stalled nearly four months after the position became vacant, prompting Martin County Water District (MCWD) board members March 24 to question why the utility continues paying for the role through its $181,575-a-month management contract with
-
Lafferty presses senate, governor for $26M WWATERS funds
Judge/executive invokes coal legacy BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty used a special Fiscal Court meeting March 26 to publicly urge the Kentucky Senate and Gov. Andy Beshear to approve $25.8 million in WWATERS funding for local water and sewer projects, arguing the county has earned basic infrastructure after
-
House backs $25.8M in Martin County water, sewer projects
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Martin County’s water and wastewater systems moved a major step closer to relief Tuesday. State Rep. Bobby McCool announced the Kentucky House passed House Joint Resolution 81, a measure that would release $52,502,260 in previously appropriated WWATERS funds, including $25,818,550 for eight Martin County water and sewer projects.
-
Mingo County PSD falters after Lenore water main rupture
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LENORE, W.Va. — Flooding, a ruptured water main and limited treatment capacity combined to disrupt water service across much of Mingo County this week, placing most customers under a boil water advisory and forcing emergency rerouting efforts to maintain supply. The trouble began around midnight Feb. 20 when rapidly rising
-
Kermit water tank replacement funded in $9.5 million AMLER grant announcement
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $9.5 million Friday in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant funding for five water and sewer infrastructure projects in Mingo and McDowell counties, including $1.26 million to replace the Town of Kermit’s failing water storage tank. Kermit’s 110,000-gallon tank developed multiple perforations and was flagged
