Guthrie, McConnell, Meredith Secure Nearly $30 Million for Improvements for Edmonson County Water District

Washington, D.C. - Following the final passage of H.R. 7178, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Senator Mitch McConnell (KY) announced that they have helped to secure more than $23.25 million in federal funding to support much-needed upgrades for the Edmonson County Water District. This federal funding is in addition to the $6.5 million state funding secured by State Representative Michael Meredith (HD-19) as part of House Bill 1 in the 2024 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

"I am proud to have been able to help secure over $23 million in federal funding towards these important projects," said Congressman Guthrie. "For years, my team and I have worked to provide reliable and practical solutions to the water quality issues facing Edmonson County Water District. Today's milestone could not have been possible without the collaboration with Senator McConnell, Kentucky Senator Givens, State Representative Meredith, and all other local stakeholders involved in this project. I look forward to seeing this funding directly benefitting the lives of hardworking Kentuckians well into the future."

"This critical federal investment for Edmonson County's water and wastewater infrastructure will protect public health and ensure the community can continue to grow. Investing accordingly is among the core responsibilities of the Congress, and I'm proud to join Congressman Guthrie and local leaders to support essential federal funding that will help strengthen the quality of life for Kentuckians," said Senator McConnell.

"This is truly wonderful news for our community! Thanks to federal funding, along with the state resources we were able to secure, Edmonson County's water system will finally receive the long-overdue upgrades it needs. This achievement reflects years of dedicated collaboration among state, federal, and local officials and stands as a testament to the commitment that Congressman Guthrie and Senator McConnell have consistently shown for our community. Kentuckians rightly expect their elected leaders to work together-and to ensure taxpayer resources are invested in ways that will improve the quality of life for generations to come," said Representative Meredith.

"There are no words that can say what this will mean to the customers of Edmonson County. After many years of limited system improvements, we will be able to upgrade our water treatment plant with the technology needed in today's world of new regulations," said Edmonson County Water District General Manager Kevin Shaw. "A very large portion of these funds will be used toward upgrading the water intake in Green River after the flow of the river was changed during the recent removal of the lock and dam below the current intake. My hat goes off to everyone who worked to make this funding available to the County Water System. These funds will greatly reduce the loan amount needed to complete these projects for the community," said Edmonson County Water District General Manager Kevin Shaw.

Community Project Funding Details

• $14,000,000 - Edmonson County Water District Green River Intake Structures
  • This project will provide for the replacement and upgrade of intake structures and tower at the Edmonson County Water District's Brownsville facility, ensuring more reliable access to the Green River, a primary source of potable water for residents in Edmonson, Hart, and Grayson Counties.
  • This project was requested and secured by Congressman Guthrie as a part of H. R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
• $9,256,000 - Edmonson County Water District for Water Treatment Plant Modernization
  • This project will modernize the water district's aging water treatment plant in Brownsville to meet future demand and improve long-term reliability.
  • This project was requested and secured by Senator McConnell as a part of H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act.
• An additional $6.5 million in state funding towards improvements for projects within the Edmonson County Water District was secured by Representative Meredith as a part of House Bill 1 in 2024. This funding was shepherded through the appropriations process by Kentucky Senate President pro tempore David Givens (SD-09). Funding included:
  • $1,000,000 for the installation of a water line and booster pumping station.
  • $2,000,000 distributed to the Edmonson County Fiscal Court to provide an emergency infrastructure grant to the Edmonson County Water District. This funding required a $1,000,000 local match.
  • $3,500,000 to support operations and federal matching dollars towards the completion of upgrades at the Green River Water Intake if federal funds become available.