Livingston, Ky. – A serious water service disruption has left residents of Livingston and parts of Laurel County distressed. The issue reportedly stems from allegations that the city has failed to pay its water bill to the Wood Creek Water District, leading to a stoppage in water supply. Residents like Oscar Gibbons have been without water since Tuesday afternoon, expressing frustration over the lack of accountability. “We pay our water bills, but the city can’t pay theirs. There’s something wrong somewhere,” he stated.
Concerns regarding the city’s unpaid water bills emerged after several Rockcastle County officials indicated that the city owes payment to its supplier, amounting to approximately $6,000 per payment. A now-deleted Facebook post from the city attributed the failure to previous administrations. Resident Lawrence Thayer, while still receiving water service, voiced his worry that his supply may also be at risk. “If I get two months behind on my water bill, you are going to shut it off,” he pointed out.
As of Thursday, the city has shifted the blame to Kentucky American Water (KAW), claiming that the company is responsible for the outages. However, a spokesperson from KAW clarified that they only turned off some pumps due to a lack of incoming water flow, which was necessary to prevent equipment damage. KAW maintains that the dispute lies solely between Livingston and the Wood Creek Water District, based in London.
This ongoing situation has left residents desperate for answers. Gibbons remarked on the hardship, especially this time of year when alternative sources for bathing, like nearby creeks, are not viable. “This time of the year they are giving out bottled water. You do the best you can,” he said.
In the interim, Kentucky American Water has begun distributing bottled water to residents, a gesture that locals have expressed gratitude for amid the crisis. The Public Service Commission has launched an investigation into the matter, aiming to further understand the situation. Following a meeting with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, the Rockcastle County Judge-Executive announced that a partial payment deal was reached, and efforts are underway to restore water service. Full restoration is expected in the next four to six weeks.
As residents look for a resolution, the focus remains on restoring a steady and reliable water supply to the community of Livingston.
