SOUTH SHORE, KY - On July 2, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials from the cities of South Shore, Kentucky, and Portsmouth, Ohio, to officially break ground on the construction of a permanent waterline that will bring clean drinking water to South Shore families and connect the two cities.

“Today, we are taking a big step forward on a project that will have a huge positive impact on our people,” Gov. Beshear said. “I believe that access to clean drinking water is a basic human right, and by breaking ground on the new South Shore Water Connection, we’re reaffirming what we’ve been preaching since I took office – we’re investing in all of our people. I want to thank everyone involved in making today a reality.”

The $16 million project will bore a waterline under the Ohio River that will connect the two cities’ water systems and allow South Shore to purchase water from the city of Portsmouth. The line will replace a temporary waterline across the Ohio River that has been serving the community since 2022.

“We are excited to finally bring this waterline project to fruition,” said South Shore Mayor Cheryl Moore. “Our goal has always been to provide the best quality water service for our community. The large under-river waterline will allow us to accomplish this goal and provide water for future industrial expansion in this end of Greenup County. We appreciate all the support we have received from the state to make this project possible.”

The community first began considering an alternative drinking water supply after 2019, when the Department for Environmental Protection tested drinking water wells in South Shore as part of a statewide sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” Relatively higher levels of PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS compounds, were identified in the city’s wells.

Although results were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water health advisory level at the time, additional testing was conducted in 2020, and the city took action to move away from the use of ground wells and to find a more reliable water source. A temporary water line along the U.S. Highway 23 bridge over the Ohio River was connected to the drinking water treatment plant in Portsmouth.

Financing for the project has included $8.6 million in Emerging Contaminants funding from the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and $7.5 million from an Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant awarded to the Energy and Environment Cabinet through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“This has truly been a cooperative partnership,” said Rebecca Goodman, secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, which houses the Department for Environmental Protection and the Division of Water. “The mayor has worked tirelessly to ensure a safe water supply was in place throughout the process, and we’ve worked with a number of entities, including Kentucky Rural Water and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, to find the funding needed and get this project where it is today. Another example of teamwork.”

“The city of Portsmouth is thankful for the efforts of all who were involved to make this project a reality and we are pleased to be able to serve the customers of South Shore Water,” said Sam Sutherland, general manager for the city of Portsmouth.

Additionally, the city of South Shore, the Division of Water and the Kentucky Rural Water Association are partnering to use Source Water Protection and Assistance Program (SWPAP) funds to properly abandon 11 water wells, taking them out of production and ensuring that no further contamination can be transported to the groundwater through these wells.

PFAS are a large group of chemicals that have been widely used for decades due to their ability to resist heat, oil, grease and water. Common uses include nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, food packaging and fire-fighting foam.