Improvements to Science Hill sewer system are celebrated

By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal

May 12, 2008 07:17 am

— Students and citizens joined elected officials Friday in Science Hill to celebrate recent improvements and extensions to the city’s sewer system as the next step in the community’s pursuit of environmental responsibility.
The event, hosted by Science Hill Mayor Bill Dick at Science Hill Independent School, featured Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, who secured the federal funding for the sewer improvements through Eastern Kentucky PRIDE and the Corps of Engineers, according to a press release from PRIDE.
During his speech, delivered to most of the student body of the school in the new auditorium, Rogers said the project — which received $735,000 in PRIDE grants — is just another example of citizens making an effort to positively impact their environment.
“Thank you for caring about your place,” Rogers said. “Thank you for trying to keep your place clean.”
The project also received funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which assisted in the designs for the sewer improvements and extensions.
“I am just thrilled to be a part of the team to clean up the pollution in this area,” said Susan M. Toutant, the executive liaison for the Corps of Engineers.
The extended sewer lines reach 42 residential and commercial customers, and the system features two new lift stations that will transport the sewage to the city’s treatment plant.
Ten more homes along Frog Hollow Road and Frog Hollow Spur will also be added to the sewer system with additional funding awarded by PRIDE to the city.
Dick said he is appreciative of PRIDE’s involvement in the system, which will help the community receive cleaner groundwater and help prevent pollution from making its way into the environment.
“I cannot say enough about PRIDE and the lengths they go through to get these projects completed,” Dick said.
Rogers said PRIDE and communities like Science Hill are important resources in the pursuit of environmental stewardship.
“We now have the cleanest part of the state,” Rogers said. “It used to be the dirtiest part of Kentucky.”
Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, founded in 1997 by Rogers, is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental cleanup and education efforts in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky.

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