No delays for water deliveries to Marion

A state of Emergency was declared for the City of Marion

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray has issued an order to help get urgently needed water deliveries to the City of Marion in Crittenden County, where a reservoir levee was drained due to concerns of a possible failure. 

The order applies to registered farm vehicles, which ordinarily are prohibited from “for-hire” use. The order will enable the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet to contract for registered farm vehicles to transport raw bulk water from a fill point on the Tradewater River to the water treatment plant in Marion.

“There is an ongoing water shortage in the City of Marion, and it will take some time to get the levee repaired,” Gray said. “The governor wants to ensure there’s no delay in getting water delivered for the duration of this emergency.”

The order will remain in effect through 12:01 a.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2022. To ensure the safety of the traveling public, contracted drivers must comply with safety requirements and have a copy of the order in their vehicles.

You may view and download a copy of the order here.

On Saturday, June 18, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a State of Emergency for the city of Marion, after receiving a request from city officials in the western Kentucky community.

The declaration has allowed numerous state agencies to act. Beshear says the Energy and Environment Cabinet has been tasked with helping the city stop all nonessential uses of water; and the Finance and Administration Cabinet has been directed to help with resource management and with procurement or contracts necessary to deal with the water shortage.

In addition, the Kentucky National Guard has been delivering bulk water to the Tradewater River, off US 60 at the Crittenden-Union County Line. They plan to deliver 40,000 to 80,000 gallons of raw water to Old City Lake to be available for treatment.

The levee failure at Lake George, the primary reservoir for Marion’s residents and businesses, coupled with limited rainfall and unseasonably warm weather, caused the water shortage to become critical.