Morgan County Water District Receives $800,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant for Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project
Project Will Replace Damaged Water Lines, Install Leak Detection Equipment, Replace Water Meters, and Provide for Other Water System Repairs
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2019) – The Department for Local Government (DLG) has announced a grant of $800,000 to the Morgan County Water District, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), that will replace sections of the damaged water line at scattered sites across Morgan County.
The project will replace 31,600 linear feet of water line, install leak detection equipment, replace 265 water meters, rehabilitate a pump station, and repair seven water storage tanks. The improvements will benefit over 2,700 households and more than 115 businesses.
“Water infrastructure that is modern and reliable is an essential component to ensuring the health, safety and economic vitality of our communities,” said Gov. Matt Bevin. “We are grateful for this substantial investment by the ARC and DLG, and we commend Morgan County for their work to complete this significant project.”
The Morgan County Water District (MCWD) was formed in 1992 and provides water service for most of Morgan County and parts of Magoffin and Wolfe counties. The MCWD maintains a network of 357 miles of distribution lines across the project service area. Through recent inspections and monitoring of metering equipment, the MCWD has determined that there is over a 35 percent water loss in its distribution network. According to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, anything over 15 percent is considered a warning sign for the financial health and operational well-being of the water utility.
The resulting savings will help water customers in the Morgan County and improve the long-term financial health and success of the water district.
“These grant funds will make it financially possible to perform the needed repairs that will help mitigate water losses,” said DLG Commissioner Sandra Dunahoo. “I’m very happy that our department was able to secure funding for such an important project.”
“ARC is proud to be a partner in helping ensure the nearly 3,000 households that rely on the Morgan County Water District have reliable access to water, and that the county is able to deliver that water in an efficient and effective way,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Tim Thomas. “Rural water infrastructure remains an ARC priority in this part of the region, and I am pleased to announce this significant ARC investment.”
“Many thanks to Governor Bevin and the DLG for helping to secure this grant funding,” said State Senator Phillip Wheeler. “This is an important project for Morgan County and I appreciate everyone who came together to make this happen.”
“Our water supply is so critical to our quality of life, so this is an important project for Morgan County. I’m thankful to Governor Bevin and the Department for Local Government for securing funding for these repairs,” said State Representative Bobby McCool.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC's mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
About the Department for Local Government
Funds are administered by DLG, an arm of the Office of the Governor dedicated to supporting local officials and communities. To learn more about the grant opportunities available through DLG, visit http://kydlgweb.ky.gov/.
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