Scott County residents step closer to public water supply

Rural residents of the southern third of Scott County are now a key step closer to seeing the benefits of a regulated public water supply, but potential water users in the rest of the county may have a long wait before hooking on to the system.

Last week, Scott County's Public Water Supply District No. 4 received $5.1 million in a combined grant/loan package from USDA Rural Development to begin construction on the water system. The money is enough to allow the acquisition of easements and construction of phase one of the project.

When completed the water system will provide a regulated public water supply for all rural households of Scott County not currently served by a water supply district -- most of the rural portion of the county. The district was formed by a majority vote in April 2005, and was given authorization by voters to seek up to $25 million in funding through a bond issue in November that year.

So far over 600 households in phase one of the project have signed on, including two school districts -- Scott County Central and Kelly.

Engineering on phase one is complete, now easements must be required before bidding and construction can begin, said Phil Lyon, president of the district's board of directors. Construction should begin late this year or early next year, Lyon said.