The Kentucky House of Representatives is set to pass its budget bill (HB 290) this afternoon and send it to the Senate where additional changes will certainly be made. As it stands now, water and wastewater utilities would receive nearly $150 million in project money over the next two-year budget cycle.

Follow the link to the full bill which is 367 pages in length. The section dealing with KIA funds starts on page 115. The Coal Severance Tax Projects are on pages 181-225. Most of the water and wastewater projects (approximately $125 million) are contained under the heading, “Kentucky Jobs for Kentucky Families” on pages 277-304.

It is very important that all of our member utilities check to see if their projects are included in the house version of the budget. Keep in touch with your legislators during the coming weeks to ensure that your priority projects are included in the final budget version, assuming that infrastructure funding makes it through the entire process.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CDT)

Muhlenberg County Career Advancement Center
50 Career Way (off Hwy. 189)
Central City (Powderly), Kentucky

Three (3) hours of continuing education credit will be offered on Wednesday, May 26th and three (3) hours will be presented on Thursday, May 27th. Representatives from the water and wastewater service providers will offer opportunities to see and use the latest tools and equipment available to our industry. The EXPO will conclude following Thursday’s Cookout Lunch.

Once again, our Associate Members will be on hand to share the latest in industry trends and specialty products. These industry professionals will again display the best and latest in supplies, materials, and services at the popular outdoor exhibits along with tabletop displays.

On February 23-24, 2010 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, representatives of water districts, water associations, and municipal utilities from around Kentucky gathered for the 2010 Management Conference at the Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center. This year’s conference, attended by nearly 400 participants, was themed Bridging the Gap. Representatives from water and wastewater service providers, the private sector, and related industries, offered excellent perspectives and initiatives promoting sustainable practices to bridge today’s utility management gaps and challenges.

Rural water system personnel attending this event are the driving force in representing our industry in the legislative process, specifically to ensure continued loan and grant availability through RUS and SRF funding. It is also the event that educates the congress and supports recourse for training and technical assistance for the nation’s rural and small systems.

For more details regarding the 2010 Rural Water Rally, Register Now

Bridging the Gap

Water and wastewater professionals from across Kentucky will be gathering for Kentucky Rural Water Association’s 2010 Management Conference on February 23-24, 2010 at the Sloan Convention Center and the Holiday Inn University Plaza Hotel in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

For more information, visit our Management Conference section.

The Kentucky Division of Water recently issued a new stormwater general permit for construction related activities. Improperly managed stormwater has adversely affected many of Kentucky’s streams. The new permit is necessary to reduce the volume of sediments that run off construction sites and to improve Kentucky’s water quality.

This course introduces the student to the relationship between potable drinking water and health, and the important role the water operator plays in maintaining a safe and ample supply of drinking water. An overall view of the water cycle is presented together with a general description of the responsibilities of water utility personnel and the need for regulation of the water industry to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.