Eubank dealing with ban on new water customers

By BILL MARDIS, Editor Emeritus
Commonwealth Journal

July 18, 2008 05:38 am

— The Kentucky Division of Water has directed the Eubank Water System not to accept new customers or extend waterlines until several issues are resolved. The order was effective July 9.
Mayor Frey Todd said problems plaguing the municipally owned water system are the result of last summer’s severe drought, road construction in the area and leakage in an old waterline that needs replacing.
The ban on new waterlines and customers apparently has no ending date. Todd indicated the situation may be resolved with a $2.5 million loan from the Farmers Home Administration to replace an old water main.
Todd said he has a meeting August 15 with representatives of the Farmers Home Administration about the project which will extend a new 10-inch waterline from Eubank to the Highland community in Lincoln County. The new water main will replace an existing 6-inch waterline that is old and leaky, the mayor said.
“It’s a done deal ... the loan is already approved,” said Todd. “It will give customers along the 11-mile stretch more water and better service,” he said.
In a published state-ment to its customers, the Eubank Water System said “ ... we have been working diligently over the past year with the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) and the Division of Enforcement to remove sanctions placed on the water system in July 2007.
“We have held various meetings with the DOW, worked to meet all criteria set before us and will continue to do so until all issues are resolved.
“However, we regret to inform you that as of July 9, 2008 we are under a ‘no exceptions’ tap-on ban.
“At this time we have no indications as to the duration of this ban, but while in effect the DOW will not allow any new meters to be set and no waterline extensions will be permitted within the entire Eubank Water System area.
“Please understand we are doing everything within our power to resolve this issue and would ask that you do your part by practicing water conservation during these summer months.”
The Eubank Water System is one of the largest water-distribution companies in this area. It began service in 1971 and currently serves about 5,000 customers in Pulaski, Lincoln and Casey counties.
Treated water for the system is bought from Somerset Water Service. The water goes to Eubank through a water main along U.S. 27, part of which had to be relocated to make way for expansion of the highway to four lanes from Somerset to Ky. 70 at Eubank.