Water Affordability Crisis in Martin County, Kentucky
On September 30, 2019, Martin County Concerned Citizens and Appalachian Citizens Law Center will hold a press conference to discuss the launch of their new report, “Drinking Water Affordability Crisis in Martin County, Kentucky.” The report finds that water is currently unaffordable for nearly half of Martin County residents. The report calls on state and federal officials to provide immediate assistance to residents with high water bills, inconsistent service, and critical water quality concerns.
Representatives from Martin County Concerned Citizens and Appalachian Citizens Law Center will present findings from the report, provide copies of the full report, field questions, and direct reporters to Martin County citizens for interviews.
What: Press Conference
When: 1pm, Monday September 30, 2019
Where: Front steps of Kentucky State Capitol Building, Frankfort, Kentucky
Background:
The problems with Martin County, Kentucky’s public water system are well-known. The system suffers from decades of severe neglect and mismanagement by county and state officials. Over the years, the infrastructure and distribution system has been allowed to get so bad that there are threats of critical failures at every point in the system.
While Martin County is one of the poorest counties in the state, it currently boasts the eighth highest average water bill out of the water districts regulated by the Public Service Commission. If the Martin County Water District were to receive the rate increase anticipated by water board members, Martin County would have the highest average water bill in the state.
The report concludes with several suggestions for local, state and federal officials, including:
- Prevent further rate increases for Martin District customers
- Direct funding from grants toward the most immediate needs of the Martin District – including fixing service and main water lines
- Appropriate funds in the 2020 state budget toward Martin County’s water infrastructure needs and assistance for low income water customers
- Establish forms of low-income assistance to support the most vulnerable customers in the Martin District
- Explore alternative rate structures that could alleviate the burden of high water bills for the most vulnerable customers
- Consider affordability when setting rates for public utilities
Why a raise..u cant drink the water now and barely can bath in it…this is sad..we are getting grants..so do we need a raise..to.put money in other people’s pockets that’s why..if u cant use the water now why even pay a bill..little lone another raise..this is getting ridiculous..people need to stand up against a raise..everyone just sits and let it go..cause they think there is no need to stand up..but everyone quit paying a bill for a month… and it wouldn’t be a raise..the water would get fixed so u could use it.
So why isn’t the press conference being held on the front steps of the Martin Co. court house instead of the steps of the state capital , Where most of the poor people of Martin Co. can attend ? I have a few questions I would like to ask them . Like : WHY should we have to pay more for water than any other county in the state ? I personally think the people on the water board should get a pay cut. I think that would help save money to fix our water problems. How about you. And how about recovering the 3 million dollars that disappeared from the water company before. And prosecuting everyone involved with it. That would help things a lot.
I am elderly and live on a fixed income,my water and sewer bill cost around $53.00 a month but now it’s jumped to $ 125.00 a month,it’s hard for all low income residents to afford these prices,they got 3 million dollars where did that money go?And recently $7 million but none of that has helped us residents of Martin co. So why should they get another rate hike,we can’t afford it now,this is unfair in every way,