Gov. Bevin: Declare State of Emergency in Martin County, Ky.

Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch

Washington, D.C. – “According to news reports, local water officials have declared a state of emergency for the Martin County Water District. Governor Bevin should promptly follow suit and declare a state of emergency for the beleaguered water district. This is the leadership Martin County residents need to marshal the much needed federal resources to help fix this crisis.

“Martin County residents should not have to shoulder the burden of past administrative failures with a permanent steep rate increase. As with any disaster, federal and state money should be deployed to Martin County to upgrade its water system and provide safe water. And Congress must pass legislation that would upgrade all of our aging water infrastructure across the country. The WATER Act would fund our water infrastructure to the tune of $35 billion – this is what’s needed to insure clean and safe water for all.”

“We also look forward to hearing the results of the state attorney general’s investigation into the failures of the Martin County Water District. While immediate funding is required, we also need to know what went wrong—and we need accountability from those involved in leaving the water district in the state that it is.”

Food & Water Watch champions healthy food and clean water for all. We stand up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our environment.

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Contact: Darcey Rakestraw, 202-683-2467; [email protected]