| FRANKFORT, KY. (April 27, 2026)— Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, is highlighting more than $25.8 million in water and wastewater investments for Martin County included in House Joint Resolution (HJR) 81, which authorizes funding through the Kentucky WWATERS Program.
The resolution directs more than $52.5 million statewide to support struggling or economically distressed water systems, with a significant share dedicated to long-needed improvements in Martin County.
“These investments represent real progress for communities that have dealt with unreliable infrastructure for far too long,” Wheeler said. “In Martin County, we’re not just addressing immediate concerns, we’re making long-term improvements that support public health, system stability and future growth.”
The funding supports a range of critical projects, including:
- pump station upgrades and line replacements,
- tank repair and system rehabilitation,
- debt service stabilization to strengthen system finances,
- county-wide sewer infrastructure improvements and
- wastewater system upgrades in Inez and surrounding areas.
Rep. Bobby McCool, R-Van Lear, also highlighted the impact of the funding and the collaborative effort behind the investment.
“Since becoming Martin County’s state representative in 2022, I have never stopped fighting to ensure that the people of Martin County get the services they need,” McCool said. “The General Assembly’s appropriation of nearly $26 million represents a monumental step forward in improving water quality and sanitation for our communities. “This has been a team effort, and I’m grateful to work with Sen. Wheeler to deliver real results for rural Kentucky.”
About the WWATERS Program
The Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems (WWATERS) Program, administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, is designed to help struggling water systems recover and improve.
Projects are evaluated, scored and submitted annually to the General Assembly, which then approves funding to ensure transparency and accountability in how resources are distributed.
HJR 81 formally authorizes the release of these funds and includes an emergency clause to ensure projects can move forward as quickly as possible.“
Learn more about bills, committees and other important updates on the 2026 Regular Session at www.kylegislature.gov.
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Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, represents Kentucky’s 31st Senate District, including Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike Counties. Wheeler serves as chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is also co-chair of the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Additionally, Wheeler is a member of the Senate Committees on Transportation, Natural Resources and Energy, and Licensing and Occupations.
Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate131.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Wheeler.
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