Case studies on Wastewater Regionalization

• Letcher County Water and Sewer District was established in 1997 in order to address the high number of straight pipes identified in the county. The District has jurisdiction over water and sewer planning, infrastructure construction, operation and maintenance throughout the county. The county has taken the stance that delivery of water to rural residents must be accompanied by wastewater management in order to preserve quality of life. Rural wastewater services are maintained and operated by the District, and residents are billed for services.
• The rural community of Preston, Bath County, in cooperation with Eastern Kentucky Power Cooperative, has developed a plan to connect approximately 100 homes to a no-discharge, wastewater “cluster” system to address the straight pipes and failing septic systems in the area. This system is unique in that the community has entered into an agreement with the Rural Electric Cooperative to manage, operate and maintain the wastewater system; residents would receive a monthly bill for services, just as they would in a traditional sewer collection system.