Can Trump Help Kentucky's Crumbling Water Infrastructure?

A community in Kentucky is in the midst of a water infrastructure crisis and locals hope President Trump can help. 

Some residents believe water contamination in Martin County, KY, is a threat to public health. Josie Delong, who formed the Martin County Water Warriors Facebook group, is among them. She suffers from bleeding ulcers, according to WFPL.

“So I go to my doctor and the first thing he says is, ‘Contaminated water. How’s your drinking water?’” she told WFPL. “Is it caused by the water? I can’t say that 100 percent, but my belief —  it is.”

Tap water in the county faces deep challenges, according to WFPL:

On any given day in Martin County, Kentucky, the water system loses more water to leaks than it delivers to paying customers through their faucets. The system is under a state investigation for the third time since 2002. Customers complain of frequent service interruptions and discolored water, and their bills come with a notice that drinking the water could increase the risk of cancer.

In addition, NPR reported, “The water intake pulls from a river heavily contaminated by sewage and years of coal and gas extraction.”

A hefty funding source is needed to fix the problems.

“State and local officials say they'll be looking out for any federal spending that could help rebuild trust in the county's tap water. The cost of rebuilding the system is estimated at $13.5 million,” NPR reported.

Environmental water contamination is also costing the county a considerable amount of money.

“Martin County tourism leaders say the county saw a loss of nearly $5 million tourism dollars in 2016 compared to the previous year,” WPTV reported, citing an environmental study.

Some residents are hoping President Trump will provide the help the county needs. U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said improving water infrastructure is a top priority, according to NPR’s State Impact.

Certain experts are skeptical that water treatment will get the attention it needs, according to NPR.

"What you're seeing is a long history of non-investment that's now starting to cause long-term problems, but it's not flashy," she says. "That's one of the problems with drinking water is that it's underground — it's hidden."

For similar stories visit Water Online’s Funding Solutions Center.