Eligible Residents Qualify for Free Sewer Access

By Eugenia Jones
eugenia@highland.net

McCreary County Water District (MCWD) Superintendent Stephen Whitaker urges everyone eligible for access to sewer with no connection fee through this year’s McCreary County Sanitary Sewer Collection System Extension Phase 1 project area to sign up as quickly as possible.
With a total project cost of more than $3.6 million dollars, the project includes the areas of Stearns and Smithtown from Fastway to the former location of the Shady Lane Restaurant on HWY 92W. Residences on side roads in the area, including Childers Ridge and Tunnel Ridge, are also included in the project. Due to project funding, Worley-Hilltop is not included at this time; however, Whitaker said the Worley-Hilltop area will be included at a later date.
Whitaker said the project includes the extension of sewer lines and infrastructure as well as the installation of individual household grinders.

“Everyone in the project area should take advantage of this opportunity,” Whitaker said. “This is a tremendous savings. Normally, just hooking onto sewer is $3,600 plus additional costs for plumbing and electrical work. We are very fortunate to have funding which allows our customers to receive sewer service without out-of-pocket costs to them.”
Whitaker said hook up to sewer in the area is free for everyone as long as funding is available. However, with approximately five hundred customers in the project area, Whitaker cautions there is not enough funding for everyone. Beginning now through April 1, Whitaker advises anyone in the project area who wants free sewer hook up to visit the MCWD’s office in Whitley City to sign a user agreement and pinpoint their property on the MCWD’s map.
“This is a win-win project, for sure,” Whitaker remarked. “The areas covered in this project have straight pipe issues. This project is a win for our customers and our environment. As it helps improve the environment of our water shed area, it will also help with tourism as it relates to Yamacraw and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.”