Home » Beshear announces $1.5 million for Hazard water system project

Beshear announces $1.5 million for Hazard water system project

Project to increase water storage capacity, strengthen system’s dependability

HAZARD, Ky. (Oct. 16, 2014) – Governor Steve Beshear today announced $1.5 million for the design and construction of several improvements to the water treatment, distribution, and billing systems in the city of Hazard in Perry County.

The project will increase Hazard’s water storage capacity and strengthen the system’s dependability, said Beshear.

“Every Kentuckian needs reliable access to safe, quality-treated drinking water,” Beshear said. “This project is an example of government stepping up to the plate and providing the infrastructure necessary to give Hazard residents uninterrupted access to clean drinking water. I want to thank the many federal, state and local government partners who worked together to bring this project to fruition.”

In the winter of 2009-2010, the Hazard water treatment and distribution system experienced severe failures, resulting in water outages that lasted as long as 45 days in some areas.

While the crisis was resolved thanks to the dedicated effort of city of Hazard employees, the Kentucky Division of Water asserts that a large break could still put the Hazard system in jeopardy. The system currently experiences consistent small line breaks, and is in need of emergency back-ups and other system improvements.

This new project will lessen Hazard’s water system issues with a wide range of improvements including new equipment and repairs. The city will receive two new water storage tanks and rehabilitate four existing tanks and five booster pump stations.  The project also consists of supplemental water intakes, grit removal structure, telemetry and dredging of the North Fork of the Kentucky River. To date, the project has reached 60 percent completion.

 “On behalf of the citizens of Hazard and Perry County, I want to thank Gov. Beshear, Commissioner Wilder and all people who worked to make the funding available for this much needed water system project,” Hazard Mayor Nan Gorman said. “This project is comprehensive and addresses several long-term issues in our water treatment and distribution system. I know these broad improvements will benefit our community for many years to come.”

 Funding Sources

The $1.5 million in funding includes a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and a $500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to the city of Hazard.  Both grant programs are administered by the Department for Local Government.  A grant and loan from USDA Rural Development are funding the remainder of the $5.1 million project.

The state’s CDBG program is administered by DLG and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Kentucky’s Congressional leaders’ continued support of the CDBG program ensures the availability of continued funding in Kentucky and nationally.

ARC partners with federal, state and local governments in an effort to support sustainable community and economic growth throughout Appalachia by funding projects that range from education and job training to housing and business expansion to transportation and infrastructure development.