Congressman Brett Guthrie announced on Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, office of Rural Development, is awarding a $961,000 grant and a $4.5 million loan to the city of Leitchfield for the new water treatment plant.
The loan granted by the government is a 40-year $4,539,000 loan (at 3.375 percent interest). Originally, the new water treatment plant was to be financed with a $2.4 million grant and $5.6 million loan. The total fund package for the project now sits at $13.5 million.
“I’m proud to announce this water development investment for Grayson County and the city of Leitchfield,” Guthrie said. “This loan and grant package will be used to build a new 4-million-gallons-per-day water treatment plant next to the existing plant, which must be replaced. This facility will serve over 2,800 residents and will make the city’s water treatment capabilities more efficient. This is great news for the community, and I congratulate the city of Leitchfield on receiving this competitive award.”
The current water treatment plant, located at 3245 Lewis School Road, was built in 1968. The new plant will be constructed adjacent to the current facility.
The decision to construct a new water treatment plant came after the federal government raised water quality standards – which would mean the purchase of millions of dollars of new equipment for the current, antiquated facility — and the growing need for a larger treatment plant more capable of meeting the water demands of its expanding customer base.
The new plant is expected to take two years to construct.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-60000
