Governor updates Marion water situation

Governor Beshear spent time during his Team Kentucky update on Thursday to provide the latest information on the water crisis in Marion.

The National Guard continues to haul water from the Tradewater River to Old City Lake, and the state has helped widen the loading zones for the trucks. Larger private haulers will soon take over the Guard's hauling duties.

Excavation has also taken place along Crooked Creek to deepen its channel to Old City Lake, and allow more water to flow into the reservoir.

Efforts continue to connect Marion with neighboring water districts. The connection with the Livingston-Crittenden water distict is providing Marion with more than 140,000 gallons of treated water each day. The city of Sturgis is working to connect with the Livingston-Crittenden district to pass along more water.

The city normally uses about 450,000 gallons daily, but the Kentucky Division of Water reported that conservation efforts by Marion residents has reduced their daily consumption to about 300,000 gallons.

Beshear said there's still a long way to go, and that the state has "never quite seen a water emergency like this."





(Photo KFVS file footage)