Kentucky.gov

Below you will find a list of press releases that are more than 180 days old.  To view a press release, click on the title.

• Report on Water Quality in Kentucky is Released
  Monday, May 19, 2008
  The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet has released the 2008 Integrated Report to Congress on Water Quality in Kentucky, prepared every two years as required by Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act.
• Governor Beshear Proclaims May 4-10 Drinking Water Week
  Tuesday, May 06, 2008
  Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed May 4-10 Drinking Water Week in Kentucky.
• Pike County Fish Catch Mistaken for Fish Kill
  Wednesday, April 30, 2008
  Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet inspectors investigating an April 25 citizen report of a 60-count fish kill on the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River in Pike County found the carcasses of approximately 30 filleted fish on the banks of Russell Fork.
• State Awards $520,947 Grant to Protect Corbin City Reservoir Watershed
  Wednesday, April 16, 2008
  The Kentucky Division of Water has announced the award of a $520,947 grant to Third Rock environmental engineering consultants, based in Lexington, for improving water quality and preventing nonpoint source pollution in the Corbin City Reservoir watershed in Laurel County.
• $728,270 Grant Awarded to Protect Clarks River Watershed
  Wednesday, April 16, 2008
  The Kentucky Division of Water has announced the award of a $728,270 grant to the Jackson Purchase Resource Conservation and Development Foundation for improving water quality and preventing nonpoint source pollution in the Upper East Fork of Clarks River in Calloway, Marshall and McCracken counties.
• WATER TREATMENT PLANTS RECEIVE STATE RECOGNITION
  Wednesday, April 16, 2008
  Thirty-two water treatment plants in Kentucky have received awards from the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet in recognition of their demonstrated success in producing drinking water that consistently meets or exceeds state water quality standards.
• REPORT ADDRESSES WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS FROM PATHOGENS IN LITTLE RIVER
  Wednesday, April 16, 2008
  A draft report addressing water quality problems in the Little River related to pathogens is available for public comment through May 23.
• COMMENT SOUGHT ON IMPAIRED WATERS LIST
  Friday, April 04, 2008
  The Kentucky Division of Water is seeking comments on its draft 2008 list of impaired waters, as required by the Federal Clean Water Act, through May 7.
• WATER SHORTAGE WATCHES, WARNINGS LIFTED FOR 19 COUNTIES
  Tuesday, November 13, 2007
  Water shortage watches and warnings issued by the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet for 67 counties in June and September have been lifted for 19 of those counties.
• STATE ISSUES WATER SHORTAGE WARNING FOR HARLAN, LETCHER AND PIKE COUNTIES
  Friday, October 19, 2007
  The Kentucky Division of Water has issued a water shortage warning for Harlan County, Letcher County and the Elkhorn Creek watershed in Pike County due to drought-related water supply shortages.
• U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS OPENS RESERVOIRS TO WATER WITHDRAWAL
  Thursday, October 04, 2007
  The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet today announced the Louisville and Huntington (W. Va.) districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will issue permits for the temporary withdrawal of water from 13 USACE-operated reservoirs in Kentucky.
• DROUGHT, HIGHER TEMPERATURES CAUSING UNPLEASANT TASTE, ODOR IN DRINKING WATER
  Thursday, October 04, 2007
  The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet assured the public today that drinking water from municipal water supplies is safe to consume despite drought-induced changes in taste and smell. The changes are attributable to low water supplies, high temperatures and supplemental water treatment.
• STATE CITES TOWN BRANCH WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR SEWAGE RELEASE
  Monday, September 10, 2007
  The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet has issued a notice of violation to the Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant for an Aug. 31 spill of 3,135,000 gallons of partially treated sewage into Town Branch.
• WARREN COUNTY PLACED ON WATER SHORTAGE WARNING
  Monday, August 13, 2007
  (Aug. 9, 2007) – The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, Division of Water, has issued a water shortage warning for Warren County, Kentucky. The warning area includes the city of Bowling Green and the surrounding communities served by Bowling Green Municipal Utilities and the Warren County Water District.
• PLASTICS COMPANY TOLD TO HALT SOLVENT RELEASE INTO OHIO RIVER
  Monday, August 13, 2007
  (July 30, 2007) - The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) has ordered a Greenup County plastics plant to immediately stop releasing a solvent into the Ohio River at Wurtland. The order, issued July 26, directs Pregis Innovative Packaging Inc. to immediately halt any activity and correct any condition leading to the discharge of unacceptable levels of methylene chloride into the Ohio River.
• DROUGHT PERSISTS DESPITE RECENT RAINFALL
  Monday, July 09, 2007
  Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the last three weeks have brought beneficial rainfall to most of Kentucky, but have not eliminated the drought conditions over most of the state.
• Public Comments Wanted for Plan to Use $40 Million for Drinking Water Projects
  Tuesday, August 29, 2006
  The Intended Use Plan is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to determine how funds will be spent.
• Draft Report Addresses Water Quality Problems in Two Creeks in Rockcastle County
  Thursday, August 17, 2006
  Brush Creek and Crooked Creek are subjects of a report required by the federal Clean Water Act.
• Swine-feeding Operations Issued Kentucky Construction and No Discharge Operational Permits
  Friday, July 07, 2006
  Nine swine-feeding operations in Fulton, Hickman and Carlisle counties have been issued construction permits and Kentucky No Discharge operational permits. The permits contain restrictions that require measures to protect communities and the environment.
• Swimming Advisories to Continue at Kentucky Sites
  Friday, June 30, 2006
  A new indicator for harmful bacteria and new data are being evaluated. Until more is known, people should avoid swimming and other recreational contact with waters in the listed areas.
• Report Addresses Water Quality Problems from Fecal Coliform
  Tuesday, June 06, 2006
  A draft report addressing water quality problems related to pathogens in three creeks is available for public comment.
• JUNE IS RIVERS MONTH: COME JOIN THE FUN
  Thursday, June 01, 2006
  Many activities are planned for the month to celebrate Kentucky's rivers and streams.
• COMMENTS SOUGHT FOR PLAN TO USE $25 MILLION FOR DRINKING WATER PLANTS
  Tuesday, May 16, 2006
  The Intended Use Plan for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund prioritizes projects for drinking water plants. Public involvement in finalizing the plan is an EPA requirement under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• Video Available for Health Care Providers
  Thursday, May 11, 2006
  A video has been prepared by the CDC and U.S. EPA to provide information for health care providers concerning waterborne problems.
• For Drinking Water Week: Consider its Value
  Wednesday, May 10, 2006
  "The Wonder of Water" is the theme of Drinking Water Week." Consider the many values of the water you receive from the tap.
• Here Are Some Ways to Know More About Your Drinking Water
  Wednesday, May 10, 2006
  "The Wonder of Water" is the theme for Drinking Water Week. Here is some information about how you can know more about your drinking water
• Celebrate 'The Wonder of Water'
  Tuesday, May 02, 2006
  “The Wonder of Water" is the theme for Drinking Water Week, May 7-13, 2006, an opportunity to celebrate and help protect safe, reliable drinking water. In Kentucky, it also falls at the beginning of Water Awareness Month, an educational program of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
• Happy Birthday, Ollie Otter
  Monday, April 17, 2006
  Ollie Otter, the clean water mascot of the Kentucky Water Watch program, will be 21 on Earth Day.
• Get Involved in Helping to Protect Kentucky's Waters
  Tuesday, March 28, 2006
  Free workshops will teach the science of stream assessment to volunteers.
• Groundwater Awareness Week Begins March 13
  Friday, March 10, 2006
  1.9 million Kentuckians rely on groundwater. National Groundwater Awareness Week is an occasion for considering what groundwater means to our communities, to each of us as individuals and how we go about protecting this vital resource.
• City of Frankfort, Subdivision Developer Cited for Water Quality Violations
  Friday, January 20, 2006
  Activities on two sites contributed to silt buildup in Benson Creek, a tributary of the Kentucky River. Both should have had permits issued by the Division of Water and should have been implementing plans to manage or eliminate erosion resulting in silt-contaminated runoff.
• Kentucky Receives $3.5 Million Federal Grant for Water Pollution Control Projects
  Friday, January 06, 2006
  Funds will be used to support efforts to keep Kentucky’s waterways safe for drinking, wildlife support and recreation as well as to help correct existing water quality problems.
• REPORTS ADDRESS WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS FROM ACID DRAINAGE
  Wednesday, November 16, 2005
  Eleven draft reports addressing water quality problems related to acid drainage are available for public comment.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant at City of Cumberland Disrupted by Presence of Mercury
  Wednesday, November 02, 2005
  Mercury contamination was discovered at the city of Cumberland's wastewater treatment plant during recent maintenance work. That work is on hold during investigation, and partially treated sewage is flowing into the Poor Fork of the Cumberland River.
• WATER SHORTAGE WATCH LIFTED IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL COUNTIES
  Friday, October 14, 2005
  The Kentucky Division of Water is lifting its water shortage watch for the counties in Kentucky's West and Central climatic divisions. However, the watch remains in effect for the Bluegrass climatic division, and a dry weather advisory is being issued for the Central and East climatic divisions.
• KENTUCKY DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS SHOW SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS
  Friday, October 07, 2005
  A triennial report to Governor Ernie Fletcher highlights successes of the state capacity development program to address problems in the technical, managerial and financial ability of drinking water systems.
• WATER SYSTEMS IN LEBANON, CARROLLTON WIN EPA AWARDS
  Friday, September 23, 2005
  Two drinking water systems in Kentucky have been cited for their commitment to the protection of the public’s drinking water.
• Water Shortage Watch Issued
  Thursday, August 11, 2005
  Indicators establish the drought status as severe for the Bluegrass, Central and West divisions of the state and mild for the East.
• Citations Are Issued for Four Black Water Spills
  Monday, August 01, 2005
  Three black water spills traced to the same coal preparation plant have resulted in notices of violation by the Kentucky Division of Water against a coal company in Pike County. In a separate incident, a second company was cited for a spill that caused a fish kill in a connecting stream.
• SWIMMING ADVISORIES TO CONTINUE AT KENTUCKY SITES
  Friday, July 08, 2005
  The Division of Water in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet and the Division of Public Health Protection and Safety in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services agree that data indicate conditions remain unsafe for swimming in some areas.
• DRY WEATHER ADVISORY IS ISSUED
  Wednesday, June 29, 2005
  Mild drought conditions have developed across most of central and western Kentucky. However, water supplies have not yet been threatened.
• DRINKING WATER NOTICES NO REASON FOR CONSUMER CONCERN: They reflect careful government standards for water purity
  Monday, May 09, 2005
  Many water systems in the state were recently required to notify customers that maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for certain disinfectant byproducts (DBPs) had been exceeded. But these notices should not cause alarm.
• “WONDER OF WATER” IS THEME OF DRINKING WATER WEEK:  Educators, let your students “Wonder about Water”
  Thursday, May 05, 2005
  Many resources are available for teachers to get their students involved in learning "the wonder of water."
• WATER AWARENESS MONTH, DRINKING WATER WEEK ARE CELEBRATED IN MAY
  Wednesday, May 04, 2005
  Both events promote water awareness for Kentuckians.
• CONSUMERS HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT DRINKING WATER
  Wednesday, May 04, 2005
  The Safe Drinking Water Act makes it possible for consumers to find out about what is in their drinking water.
• CELEBRATION CALLS ON ALL TO MAKE WATER-RESPONSIBLE CHOICES
  Wednesday, May 04, 2005
  Consumers’ actions affect the quality of source water and the level of treatment required to provide safe drinking water.  To keep drinking water safe and treatment costs down, we need to be aware that what we do to the land affects our drinking water sources.
• ‘WONDER OF WATER’ IS THEME OF DRINKING WATER WEEK
  Wednesday, May 04, 2005
  Drinking Water Week celebrates 30 years of Safe Drinking Water Act progress.
• GET INVOLVED IN HELPING TO PROTECT KENTUCKY’S WATERS
  Thursday, March 17, 2005
  Free workshops teach the science of stream assessment.  Participants will then be able to volunteer to help monitor waterways in Kentucky.
• NORTHERN KENTUCKY AIRPORT STORM WATER PERMIT IS REISSUED:  New permit contains more stringent requirements
  Monday, February 07, 2005
  A permit regulating storm water runoff to Gunpowder and Elijahs creeks is meant to help eliminate the impairment of the two streams.
• WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED TO ASSIST WITH PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: $3.5 Million Available for Projects to Control Runoff Pollution
  Wednesday, February 02, 2005
  Workshops have been scheduled to help with development of projects for Nonpoint Source grants.
• EPA LAUNCHING PERFORMANCE AWARDS FOR WATER SYSTEMS Objectives are to recognize outstanding public systems
  Thursday, January 06, 2005
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is launching an awards program to call attention to outstanding performance by water systems that supply drinking water to the public.
• $3.5 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR WATERSHED RESTORATIONFunds are available for nonpoint source pollution control projects
  Monday, December 13, 2004
  Grants totaling $3.5 million are available for watershed restoration projects and for watershed implementation plan development as well as for other projects to help mitigate or prevent rainwater runoff pollution.
• KENTUCKY’S DRINKING WATER AMONG THE SAFEST IN THE NATION
  Wednesday, October 06, 2004
  Although news about elevated lead levels in drinking water in our nation's capital as well as other cities has alarmed many, lead levels in Kentucky's drinking water systems are below the EPA action levels.
• Swimming Advisories Continue at Several Sites in Kentucky
  Thursday, July 01, 2004
  Swimming advisories that have been in place for several years in different areas of the state are being continued.
• Comments Sought for Plan to Use $60 Million for Drinking Water Plants
  Friday, June 18, 2004
  Almost $60 million is available for low-interest loans for construction of drinking water projects in Kentucky, and the state wants the public's comments on a draft plan to use that money.