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Brown water, corrosive truth: Engineers trace July 2025 crisis to mineral imbalance in river
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For weeks in July 2025, brown water ran from taps across Martin County, leaving residents upset, frightened and distrustful of a system meant to sustain life. Faucets ran rust-colored. Laundry was ruined. Families questioned whether their water was safe even to bathe in. What they did not have
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Martin County issues boil water advisory
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Water District issued a boil water advisory Monday evening for customers along a section of Blacklog Road and surrounding areas after a break in an 8-inch main line. The advisory applies to customers from 1620 Blacklog Road at Jude’s Produce to 3256 Blacklog Road near the 40 East
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Martin County Water District asks PSC to end oversight
Opponents warn system remains fragile BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Water District is asking the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) to close a long-running oversight case and lift monitoring requirements imposed more than six years ago, arguing that the utility has made significant financial and operational progress under outside management. The
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Martin County Water declines rate hike despite revenue gap
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — On paper, the numbers point to a sharp water rate hike. In practice, Martin County water officials say they are charting a different course. The Martin County Water District filed its 2026 Revenue Requirement Report with the Kentucky Public Service Commission on Monday. The filing shows the district
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McCoy objects to Martin County Water District’s proposed fee and rate hikes: ‘This is cruel’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Despite objections from one board member, the Martin County Water District is proposing higher meter charges, a higher rate on leak adjustments and new service requirements for customers. Board chairman Tim Thoma presented the proposal during a special meeting Aug. 12. Following a 3-1 vote, the district will
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Martin County Water District sues Big Sandy ADD for $1M+ over failed water project
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water District (MCWD) filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Big Sandy Area Development District (BSADD). The water district is seeking more than $1 million in damages over what it describes as years of mismanagement on a long-delayed infrastructure project. The complaint, filed in Martin Circuit
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Brown water: Judge calls on PSC to rescind order requiring outside management of Martin County Water District
County fast-tracks weed-cutting BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty is calling on the Kentucky Public Service Commission to rescind its order requiring outside management of the Martin County Water District. He cited operational failures that have led to widespread brown-colored water and growing public frustration. In the same meeting
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$24M rejection: Martin County Water District threatens legal action
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water District is weighing legal action against the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority and Big Sandy Area Development District, claiming the flawed scoring of the county’s water and sewer project applications cost one of Kentucky’s most distressed districts $24 million in critical funding. The issue centers on
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Martin County Water District seeks new legal counsel
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Utility Board is seeking new legal representation following the planned departure of longtime counsel Brian Cumbo. The board that oversees the county’s water and sanitation districts issued a request for proposals June 25 for an attorney or firm to serve as general counsel. Chairman Tim
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Flood leaves Martin County’s water and sewer systems in ruins; repairs to cost millions
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN MARTIN COUNTY — The February flood that swept through Martin County, swelling Tug Fork River, left the county’s water and sewer infrastructure heavily damaged. Officials expect repair costs to approach $3 million. Floodwaters inundated the sewer treatment plant in Warfield as well as lift stations, grinder pumps and other critical
