Kentucky Needs $15 Billion in Additional Water Infrastructure

Kentucky's drinking water and sewer systems will require $15 billion in infrastructure improvements over planned expenditures over the next 20 years, according to the state's Energy and Environment Cabinet.

Ryan Van Velzer reports on the state's report about water supply and sewer infrastructure needs, where aging systems are in danger of failure. "About half of the infrastructure in place for water and sewers is past its design life," according to the article.

"The state’s 213 drinking water treatment plants are more than 38 years old, on average," explains Van Velzer, and "[a]bout 800 of Kentucky’s wastewater treatment plants are more than 36 years old, on average."

The recession coupled with lower water use per capita (at the same rates) have deferred maintenance of the state's water infrastructure, according to the article.