Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that a key subcommittee has approved $500,000 to support the Perry County Sanitation District’s ongoing efforts to provide sanitary wastewater treatment services for residents in the Chavies area. This funding will support the Sanitation District in developing a 150,000 gallon per day wastewater treatment plant and an enhanced collection system, which will ultimately serve 502 households. The funding was included in the FY10 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and will provide residents of rural Perry County with much-needed sanitary wastewater treatment services. Congress is expected to vote on this legislation in late June.

“Expanding our water system infrastructure is a critical step toward improving our environment, increasing public health, and growing our local economy,” stated Rogers. “This facility will greatly enhance the water quality in the region and make Perry County an even more desirable place to live and work, as well as create a sizable number of construction and maintenance jobs. I’m pleased to see this funding move forward in the process and will continue to keep a watchful eye on this project.”

The project will initially construct approximately 24,900 feet of gravity sewer, 3,500 feet of force main and two pump stations to serve 109 new customers. The wastewater treatment plant will be constructed to accommodate future expansions as collection lines are extended to serve additional customers. The Perry County Sanitation District received a grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collection System, which covered the cost of a regional facilities plan, environmental assessment and design. An additional $1.154 million in Environmental Protection Agency funds have also been secured to begin construction.

Throughout his tenure in the U.S. Congress, Rogers has worked to secure funding for water improvement projects throughout the fifth congressional district. In 1997, Rogers founded Eastern Kentucky PRIDE to promote Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment in 38 counties. PRIDE unites citizens with the resources of federal, state and local governments to improve water quality in the region, clean up illegal trash and solid waste that would pollute local rivers and streams, and promote environmental awareness and education in our communities.

“PRIDE has united people around our region to alleviate major concerns about access to safe drinking water and damage to the environment,” said Rogers. “The many individuals affiliated with organizations such as PRIDE have invested incredible time, talent and resources into the betterment of southern and eastern Kentucky, and their continued support and dedication to our area will ensure that the quality of life for families in our region will continue to rise.”

Rogers currently serves as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. Through this role, Rogers supports important initiatives in the Fifth Congressional District.