Site work for a water / sewer project in Louisville, Kentucky. Completed plans call for site work for a water / sewer project.

https://www.wlky.com/article/msd-rate-increases-jefferson-county-residents-questions/60965529 MSD rate increases spark questions from Jefferson County residents Share WLKY logoUpdated: 7:13 PM EDT May 31, 2024 Infinite Scroll Enabled Madison Elliott Reporter Play Video Play Unmute Remaining Time -1:55 Captions Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Your Email Address SUBMIT Privacy Notice LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After MSD announced a new preliminary rate increase of nearly seven percent, the agency spoke with WLKY News. Executive director Tony Parrott says capital improvements are needed to repair sewer, flood protection, and drainage systems with major components that are more than 100 years old. Advertisement "We're challenged with sewer cave-ins and equipment that dates back to, and technology that dates back, to the early 1900s," he said. It's not a new problem, but it's one MSD is still trying to fix. Nearly $300 million is allocated to cover 208 projects for fiscal year 2025. Parrott says nearly 90% of those projects are regulatory-driven. "So they're projects that we have to do," he said. Recommended UK's Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham selected No. 3 and 8 in NBA Draft [related id='52dc0190-0481-4b32-92c6-4a083f144585' align='center'][/related] This includes odor-control projects, upgrades to the Morris Forman Water Quality Treatment Center, and the Paddy's Run Flood Pump Station. "And the challenge is, is that we have 16 of those flood pump stations that we need to address," he said. "So we've been working with the Army Corps, and we've been working with Senator McConnell and Representative McGarvey to try to get more money through grants to help us with the flood protection system." Homeowner Andie Rosalez says she has questions. "So a couple of them is, is there a site where we can go and actually see these projects," she said. "Speaking to a few people around, like where I work and around my neighborhood, we would like to see where this money is going." The increase would add $5.19 to the average monthly Jefferson County residential bill, and $3.74 to the average Oldham County residential bill, according to MSD. She says it's another added cost on top of everything else. "Groceries are going up, taxes are going up. Everything is increasing," she said. Parrott says they're trying to fund as many of these projects as possible through other sources, such as low-interest loans and grants. He says nearly five percent of the $298.8 million FY2025 Capital Improvement Plan is funded by grants. "And so because of the alternative funding that we've been able to pursue, rates are actually going to be lower than they would have been otherwise," he said. The Board agreed to continue MSD’s wastewater rate assistance programs that provide a 30 percent discount for qualified low-income ratepayers in both counties. MSD also offers a 30 percent discount on wastewater services for qualified senior citizens with a total annual household income of below $35,000. Rosalez says she'd like to see all seniors get a discount. "All seniors have worked hard for their money," she said. There is a public comment period open through July 4. The MSD board will vote on final approval come July and rates will take effect Aug. 1, 2024. Comments can be emailed to finance@LouisvilleMSD.org. People can also submit comments online or mail comments to MSD Board, Finance, 700 West Liberty Street, Louisville, KY 40203. _______________________________________ Pouring water into existing catch basins within nine different areas of MSDs service area. Questions Due Date: Jun 23rd 2024, 10:00 AM EDT The Engineer’s Construction Cost Estimate for this project is between $ 400,000.00 and $ 500,000.00 . *The value for this project is based on a financial range. The value is listed as the highest possible cost from the range provided by a stakeholder or official project document.