121 Whitley, Knox households getting clean water thanks to state funding

Thanks to $2,419,802 in funding that is coming to the region, 125 unserved households in Whitley County, Knox and Bell counties will be getting clean drinking water.

Whitley, Knox and Bell counties are all receiving a portion of the $30 million in funding that the state has allocated to support 29 projects that will provide clean drinking water and improve water systems for 1,245 households across the commonwealth.

The Whitley County Fiscal Court will receive $276,302 to provide water for 50 unserved households, according to a release from Gov. Andy Beshear’s office.

The Knox County Fiscal Court will receive $1,948,500 to provide water for 71 households, and the City of Pineville will receive $195,000 to provide water to four underserved households, according to the release.

The 29 approved projects are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA).

“Having clean, reliable water service is a basic human right, and from the start of my administration I have prioritized funding major upgrades to these crucial utilities all across the commonwealth,” Beshear said. “We’ve provided hundreds of millions of dollars to communities through my Cleaner Water Program, enhancing regional systems and providing service for the first time to many residents and businesses. This latest round will provide $30 million to fund 29 projects that will make our people healthier and our communities more resilient.”