Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Hal Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program (USDA-RD) has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Knott County Water and Sewer District to replace aging sewer lines in the county. This funding is in addition to the $250,000 PRIDE awarded Knott County last year for this ongoing project.

“Ensuring that everyone in Knott County has access to clean and sanitary water has long been a priority of mine,” said Rogers. “I applaud USDA-RD for their efforts to ensure that failing septic systems are cleaned up and water lines provide clean, healthy drinking water. By improving our sewer and water we not only improve our communities, we help grow economic development and increase the potential for job creation by promoting a cleaner environment.”

The funding from USDA-RD will be used to either replace or rehabilitate existing aging sewer lines in Knott Count that are subject to contamination due to leaks and deficiencies with the system. Potential health problems will be eliminated and efficient waste disposal will be provided for 122 customers in rural Knott County by fixing these sewer lines.

PRIDE, which promotes Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment in 38 counties, was launched by Rogers and the late General James Bickford, former Secretary of the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet. To date, PRIDE has recruited more than 292,000 volunteers logging over 1 million volunteer hours, provided 29,485 homes with access to sanitary wastewater treatment, and cleaned up 139,725 tons of trash. Through PRIDE, more than $2.6 Million have been awarded in Knott County. The funding has provided 367 homes with access to sanitary sewer and septic systems. Their most recent award of $250,000 helped to reduce or eliminate infiltration of surface water and the leaking of raw sewage into nearby soil and streams.

Through his role as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers works to secure funding for valuable initiatives in the Fifth Congressional District.