Home » Louisville and Hardin County utilities expand partnership that provides water solution for region

Louisville and Hardin County utilities expand partnership that provides water solution for region

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 30, 2012) — Louisville Water and Hardin County Water District No.1 (HCWD1) have approved a purchase agreement that will give the Hardin County/Fort Knox region an additional water supply for decades to come.

The 40-year agreement provides for HCWD1 purchasing up to 3.5 million gallons of drinking water daily from Louisville Water. The agreement, which was approved by HCWD1 Board on May 15 includes the installation of a water transmission main along Dixie Highway from Louisville Water’s infrastructure at Kathryn Station Road to the base of Muldraugh Hill and the construction of a pumping station with a back-up generator.

The design also includes the option to construct a larger transmission main to meet the water needs of the growing Fort Knox base.

HCWD1 will fund the project from proceeds of a $4.5 million grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2013, with completion within a year. Once the facilities are built, HCWD1 plans to close one of the existing Ft. Knox treatment plants, which is over 70 years old.

“We are excited about the opportunity to enhance our partnership with HCWD1,” said Greg Heitzman, president and CEO of Louisville Water. “This solution will supply the region with a high-quality, reliable supply of drinking water.”

The agreement builds upon an existing partnership. In February, HCWD1 assumed ownership and control of operations of the Fort Knox water system in response to a Department of Defense Utility Privatization initiative. Louisville Water operates the two water treatment plants on the post and oversees water quality monitoring and improvements. HCWD1 has an operations center on post and provides daily customer service and operates the distribution system.

For HCWD1, the agreement provides a water source that is not impacted during drought years. (Louisville Water’s source is the Ohio River.) The additional supply positions HCWD1 to meet expected growth over the next few years and is sized to provide 100 percent of the district’s average daily demand during an emergency.

“Our customers will benefit by having a reliable back-up supply of clean water during disaster and drought conditions,” said Bill Rissel, chairman of HCWD1.