Press Release from Ed Hatchett,
Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts

Subject: Kentuckians at Risk From "Nonpoint Source" Water Pollution
Release Date: August 7, 2001
Audit online at: http://www.auditor.ky.gov/Public/Audit_Reports/Archive/2001KYNonpointSourceWaterPollution.pdf

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Auditor of Public Accounts
144 Capitol Annex
Frankfort, KY 40601

Contact:
Harold McKinney
Legal Counsel
Phone 502-573-0050
FAX 502-573-0067
APA.PressReleases@auditor.ky.gov
(Frankfort - August 7, 2001) Kentucky's efforts to detect and prevent nonpoint source water pollution from animal feeding operations, straight pipes, and mining operations are hampered by administrative weaknesses, according to a performance audit released by State Auditor Ed Hatchett.

"Over a million Kentuckians drink ground water. They rely on state government to protect them from fecal contamination, acid mine drainage, and other water pollutants," said Hatchett. "Unfortunately, regulators are not ensuring safe, potable water."

CAFOs, Straight Pipes, Mining Threaten Kentucky's WaterResources

The audit found:

  • More than 180 concentrated animal feeding operations in Kentucky don't have state water pollution control permits required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • The "straight piping" of human waste into waterways and the incidence of faulty sewage systems is largely undocumented and unaddressed across the state.
  • Kentucky is in the dark about the impact of mining operations on water quality. The failure of Kentucky's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet to coordinate the regulatory duties of its Division of Water and its Department for Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement threatens future coal slurry disasters like that which occurred in Martin County.

The audit was part of a joint evaluation by the National State Auditors Association. It contained fourteen agency recommendations and six legislative recommendations addressing the identified problems.
 

Edward B. Hatchett Jr.
Auditor of Public Accounts
144 Capitol Annex
Frankfort, KY 40601
WEB: www.auditor.ky.gov/