Gov. Beshear Announces More Than $600,000 for New Eminence Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project

Press Release

Governor Steve Beshear today joined local leaders to announce a $647,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for a new wastewater treatment expansion project in the city of Eminence in Henry County. The project will alleviate capacity and environmental concerns with the city's current plant.

"Communities need safe, well-maintained, quality infrastructure in order to grow and thrive," said Gov. Beshear. "This water infrastructure project in Eminence will not only help the area reach required water safety standards, but will also support potential residential and economic growth in Henry County."

The Eminence Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the city of Pleasureville in addition to the city of Eminence. The two municipal collection systems are currently inundating the plant, causing the environmental and health hazard of raw sewage bypassing into surface waters of the nearby Fox Run Creek. In addition, monthly records show the plant is operating at 94 percent capacity and during wet weather, it may treat nearly three times its rated capacity.

The grant goes toward the design and expansion of the plant, increasing its capacity of processing 500,000 gallons per day to processing 750,000 gallons per day. The project changes the plant's traditional aerated lagoons system to a new LemTech process that is estimated to cost 48 percent less than expanding the plant using standard methods. Other improvements include adding two larger water pumps and a new magnetic flow meter.

In addition to the $647,000 CDBG, the city of Eminence is contributing $503,000 in combined cash and replacement reserve funds and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority is contributing $350,000.

"I'd like to thank the Governor and the Administration for overseeing these grants that will provide much-needed upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in Eminence," said Sen. Ernie Harris. "This grant will allow for the installation of new technology, and I am looking forward to seeing the developments enhance our community."

"I would like to thank Governor Beshear for approving this grant for the city of Eminence," said Rep. Rick Rand. "These funds will go a long way in helping the city of Eminence improve their sewer service and help keep rates low for the citizens of Eminence."

"This wastewater treatment plant project has been almost ten years in the making," said Henry County Judge Executive John Logan Brent. "We are very grateful to Governor Beshear, his staff and everyone who helped bring this important, long-awaited project to fruition."

"This new wastewater treatment project lowers potential environmental risks and alleviates citizens' concerns in Eminence and Pleasureville," said Department for Local Government (DLG) Commissioner Tony Wilder. "Furthermore, the plant's expanded capacity will support growth in the communities and continue to offer citizens reliable, easy access to clean and safe water."

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

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