Bullitt County to pursue $13 million wastewater upgrades to replace two outdated treatment plants

Bullitt County officials are moving forward with a proposed $13 million project designed to replace two outdated sewage treatment plants, addressing long-running concerns about sewage smells and overflow. The plan, described by WLKY in a report published November 13, aims to reduce the chances of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater entering the environment and to improve the quality of local water and air for surrounding communities.

According to the report, the project’s focus is on upgrading aging infrastructure that officials say is no longer sufficient to meet current needs. Residents have raised issues tied to wastewater operations, including odors that can be noticeable when systems are stressed or not performing as intended.

WLKY reported that the replacement effort would involve replacing both treatment facilities rather than relying solely on piecemeal repairs to keep older systems functioning. The measure is framed as a step toward more reliable wastewater treatment operations, which officials say can help lower the risk of sewage overflows and improve environmental outcomes.

Beyond day-to-day operations, the project is also intended to support future growth in the county. The WLKY report characterizes the upgrades as laying groundwork for additional capacity so the system can handle increasing demand from new development without pushing treatment operations beyond safe margins.

The spending level reported by WLKY, $13 million, reflects the scope of work required to construct and integrate new wastewater treatment capacity. Replacing two facilities is typically more complex than single-site repairs, requiring planning for construction sequencing so wastewater continues to be processed safely during the transition.