The Leitchfield Water Treatment Plant has again been recognized by Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Water for meeting the goals of Kentucky’s Area-Wide Optimization Program, or AWOP.
AWOP is a multi-state initiative administered through the EPA to encourage drinking water systems to voluntarily achieve goals more stringent than current regulations.
In particular, the program emphasizes the reduction of turbidity and disinfection by-products through the drinking water treatment process. Turbidity, or cloudiness, is a measurement of particles in water including soil, algae, bacteria, viruses, and other substances. Disinfection by-products are formed when chlorine, which is used for disinfection, reacts with organic material found in the source water.
Long-time Leitchfield Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Darren Dennison said the most recent distinction marks the 11th consecutive year the plant has been recognized by AWOP. In three of those years, 2014, 2016 and 2017, the plant was recognized as AWOP Champion of similar-sized plants.
The current water treatment plant, located at 3245 Lewis School Road, was built in 1968, with demands placed on the plant increasing significantly since its opening. Construction on a new water treatment plant began on Friday with a ceremonial groundbreaking.
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.
(Photo: Leitchfield Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Darren Dennison)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
