Water district sinks further into crisis, reservoir runs low

INEZ, Ky. (AP) – The reservoir supplying an already troubled Kentucky water district has fallen to a critically low level, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that the Martin County Water District’s intake pump failed last month, and the district continued to take water out of the reservoir without replenishing it for more than week.

Water board chair Jimmy Kerr says the district spent around $100,000 trying to fix the pump, but was ultimately unsuccessful. So they’re renting two pumps at a cost of around $18,000 a month and sinking deeper into debt.

The district has been pursuing what would be the year’s second rate increase, in a bid to stave off financial collapse.

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear is investigating the district’s management.