-
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
-
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
-
$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
-
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
-
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
-
Martin County Water District announces meter replacement project
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water District (MCWD) has announced a $2 million water meter replacement project set to begin Jan. 27. According to a customer alert issued Monday, the initiative is funded through a grant allocated by the Kentucky General Assembly. MCWD expects the project to take approximately four
-
Water line leak repair
Martin County Water District crew members uncover a main water line leak on Main Street on Thursday. (Citizen photos by Roger Smith)
-
Pump rental drains Martin County Water District again
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Water District hopes to resolve an issue that has become an ongoing financial drain on its resources and patience. The district is pressing for reimbursement of the steep costs of renting and fueling a raw water intake pump—expenses MCWD says are tied to Xylem Water Solution’s
-
PSC sets informal conference in Martin County Water monitoring case
The Kentucky Public Service Commission has announced an informal conference to address “a recent filing” in case 2020-00154 in which it monitors the Martin County Water District. Scheduled for Nov. 21 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the meeting will be conducted via videoconference “to discuss issues presented in this matter.” According to a notice
-
Martin County Water elects new chair, reports record-low water loss
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water District reported encouraging improvements in its meeting Oct. 22, including the lowest water loss rate recorded in the last several years. In a unanimous decision, the board elected Tim Thoma as its new chair. “I moved to this community two years ago and I
