Intended Use Plan is required by Safe Drinking Water Act

Contact:  Donna Marlin 502-564-3410

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 29, 2006) – Nearly $40 million is available for low-interest loans for construction of drinking water projects in Kentucky, and Governor Ernie Fletcher’s administration wants the public’s comments on a draft plan for using the money.

The money is part of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), a program created in the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996.  Portions of the fund also are available for technical assistance to help bring drinking water systems into regulatory compliance.

The DWSRF is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which awards the funds.  States must establish plans for providing the money for public water systems.  Public involvement in finalizing the plan is required before Kentucky receives EPA approval.

Kentucky’s draft Intended Use Plan for the 2007 DWSRF is available on the Internet at http://www.water.ky.gov/publicassistance/funding/dwsrf/IUP.htm.  Click on the 2007 IUP link at the bottom of the page.  A hard copy may also be requested from the Drinking Water Branch of the Division of Water, 14 Reilly Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601, or by calling 502-564-3410. Comments should be provided to Donna Marlin, Drinking Water Branch manager, by Sept. 26, 2006.

The plan was developed cooperatively by the Division of Water within the Department for Environmental Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority in the Governor’s Office.