The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) awarded cleaner water grants to eight more cities this week. During the 2021 session, the General Assembly allocated $250 million of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to local water projects.

On Monday, the City of Williamsburg received $332,958 to replace the existing sanitary lift station originally designed to serve the Kentucky Splash Water Park and the Whitley County Detention Center. The project will help maintain adequate sewer service to the area, which is experiencing rapid growth.

Tuesday announcements included:

• $146,703 for the Trenton wastewater treatment plant. The existing plant, built in 1967, requires upgrades to meet today’s standards and the needs of its customers. “As mayor of Trenton, I am pleased to receive these funds for our water treatment plant, which will provide some needed upgrades to our 60-plus-year-old plant. It could very well keep our water superintendent from serious injury,” said Trenton Mayor Martha Jo Ray.
• $103,480 to the City of Adairville to install water valves to control water flow better, replace approximately 7,000 feet of water main, and replace 450 outdated water meters with new automatic read meters.
• $111,040 for Auburn to replace and upgrade pipes. The proposed project will also allow for the replacement of dilapidated sidewalks along the pipeline route. “I would like to thank all involved at every level of our government for the clean water grant funds the City of Auburn received this week,” said Mayor Mike Hughes, who also serves as KLC’s second vice president. “The investments we make in our infrastructure today will pay huge dividends into our future. The City of Auburn will invest local dollars in conjunction with these funds and replace outdated, 80-year-old water lines serving 50 customers. This will improve water quality, pressure, and fire protection.”
• $111,040 to Russellville to replace nearly 3,900 linear feet of outdated galvanized, AC, or cast-iron pipes. The upgraded waterline sections will improve water flow, decrease leakage, and improve fire protection in the affected area.
• $146,193 for the City of Elkton for improvements to the Morningside Drive water tank by adding circulation tubes and painting the interior and exterior of the tank.
• The City of Guthrie will invest $146,193 for an emergency standby generator to prevent water outages throughout the utility’s distribution system.

On Wednesday, Bowling Green Municipal Utilities learned it would receive $450,372 to replace old, deteriorated meter yoke sets and lead goosenecks with new service lines and modern meter sets.

KIA will make awards continuously throughout the year. All grant awardees must obligate the funds by December 31, 2024. The current Fiscal Year 2023 House-approved budget proposal includes another $350 million of ARPA funds for additional projects.