Long-standing Smithland wastewater issues prompt county action

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SMITHLAND, Ky. (KBSI) — Livingston County leaders have approved funding to continue efforts to address a long-standing wastewater issue in the small town of Smithland.

The Livingston County Fiscal Court recently approved funding for the next phase of a wastewater study as officials work to determine how to modernize the town’s aging system.

Livingston County Judge/Executive Michael Williams said the problem has persisted for years.

“For years, this has been a problem. The way the wastewater in Smithland operates, it gets pumped over a large hill into a lagoon where it does get treated. The lagoon has developed some leakage issues. After a heavy rain, the pump takes all this water to the lagoon. The lagoon gets too full. The treatment center can’t keep up with all the rainwater. And so it’s just an old system that just needs a lot of rehabilitation,” Williams said.

Officials say the study will evaluate possible long-term solutions, including rebuilding Smithland’s existing wastewater facility or running several miles of new sewer line to a neighboring town with the capacity to handle the wastewater. Leaders say either option could cost millions of dollars.

Williams said the limitations of the current system are already affecting the town’s ability to grow.

“Currently, the Department of Water has not allowed any new water taps or sewer taps onto the city. So, any new construction, any new house that does not currently already have a water tap is not allowed. So, we cannot have any expansion within our town. You can’t complete what looks like an eight-million-dollar project on the back of 200 people,” Williams said.

County officials say the study will help determine the most feasible path forward and strengthen efforts to secure state funding for the project.