Bipartisan Senate Appropriations Package Marks $9.25M for Edmonson County Water Project

Bill Now Goes to Trump's Desk

Aerial view of Green River bridge June, 2023.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Edmonson County Water now awaits President's Trump's signature on H.R. 6938, a bipartisan "minibus" appropriations package also known as the Commerce-Justice-Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations Act.

Senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee KY Senator Mitch McConnell played a key role in shaping the legislation, according to Edmonson Water District General Manager Kevin Shaw. The bill earmarks at total of $38B in energy and water discretionary spending nationwide, with $541M set aside for Kentucky. From that, $9.25M is headed to Brownsville once the bill is signed into law by the President.

Shaw said that his office has been working with Sen. McConnell's office for several months.

"There's been a lot of hard work on the part of Senator McConnell's office to secure some funding and this will go a long way for what we're calling Phase 1 of two projects, with the first being for improvements for our water treatment plant," he said. Phase 2 would focus on the intake system.

According to Shaw, the county treatment plant is about 25 years behind the times in technology. 

"The first phase is estimated to be around a $15M project, so this helps tremendously. The upgrade will make work much easier and better technology all the way around."

He added that while $9.25M sounds like a lot of money, it won't do the entire job, with the current cost of construction and materials where they are in 2026, however, he was still grateful for the opportunity.

"Because we're so behind on the technology, we have to work much harder, but the quality of water we have here now isn't much different than the quality of BGMU or any other treatment plant right now. But this will allow us better feeding systems, better control on the feeding systems, along with better monitoring on them."

McConnell's office released the following statement from the Senator this morning: “These critical federal investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will protect public health and ensure Kentucky communities can continue to grow,” said Senator McConnell. “From Edmonson County to Albany and Martin County, modernizing these systems restores essential services, supports local industry, and strengthens the quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth.”

District 19 State Rep Michael Meredith said he was grateful for McConnell's work on the project.

“After years of much needed maintenance and several changes to our system, this funding for modernization efforts will enhance our capacity and capability in providing clean drinking water throughout the county," said Meredith.

Kevin Shaw said he was unsure of how quickly the money would come to Brownsville upon signature of the bill by the President but that the Water District would begin design work immediately then advertise for bids of the work. A realistic timeline for the improvements would be anywhere from 18-24 months.

"We owe a great gratitude of appreciation to Senator McConnell's office," said Shaw. "We'll continue working with our Congressional leaders in the state for similar help."

Shaw said he is well aware of complaints that spread on social media along with those his office receives about local water, whether it be rates, quality of water, or anything else. It's no secret the Water District has had multiple issues with not only the treatment plant, but also the intake. The Green River water levels are lower than they've ever been in modern times, as a result of the U.S. Government-funded dam removal projects at Locks number 6 and number 5. 

Despite those issues, Shaw says the District has sorted the large majority of the issues and water quality is currently good in Edmonson County.

"I'd tell my 89-year old mother to drink it and I'd have my 11 month-old granddaughter to drink it," he said. "Things are moving in a positive direction and things are getting better every day."