Recovery Act Backing to Enhance Water Service, Create Jobs in Louisville

(ATLANTA - Mar. 29, 2010) During a ceremony today at the Louisville Water Company, the E.P.A. (EPA) joined the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) to recognize a $4.17 million plan funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 in Louisville, Ky. The Louisville Water Company received a loan through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the I-64 pipeline project, which is part of a larger effort to provide improved regional water service.

"This plan is a prime example of how Recovery Act backing is helping local communities," said Acting E.P.A. Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg. "The I-64 pipeline plan will fund much-needed enhancements in water service for Louisville Water Company customers and expand service to Eastern Jefferson County, Shelby Co. and Frankfort, providing environmental benefits and creating green jobs."

"Through the combined efforts of the E.P.A. and KIA, Louisville Water Company has been able to use federal funds to not only provide much-need enhancements in water service for existing Louisville Water Company customers, but also expand service to Eastern Jefferson County, Shelby Co. and Frankfort," said Gov. Beshear. "Such strategic use of ARRA funds is indicative of our commitment to building stronger communities from the ground up."

The Louisville Water Company serves approximately 270,220 customers in Jefferson, Oldham and Bullitt Counties whose areas have a combined population of 801,018. The plan involves the construction of 5.4 miles of 36-inch steel transmission pipeline along I-64, a booster pump station capable of pumping 20 million gallons per day and a storage tank with a capacity of one million gallons per day. This plan will enhance water service (pressure and fire flow) to existing customers and provide critical water supplies to Eastern Jefferson Co. for emergencies, droughts and to serve rapid growth in the area. The plan will also provide a supplemental finished water source for Shelby Co. and Frankfort from Louisville Water Company's 35 million gallons per day of excess capacity, which may eliminate or defer the need to expand treatment facilities in those areas.

In 2009, the E.P.A. distributed $20.5 million in ARRA backing to KIA to help the state finance many of the overdue enhancements to drinking water systems that are essential for protecting public health and the environment across the state. The backing augmented Kentucky's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, which provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The Louisville Water Company plan received $ 4,173,200 in ARRA assistance through the SRF.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Feb. 17, and has directed the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at www.Recovery.gov.

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