The Wash Your Hands campaign, will launch in-conjunction with Global HandwashingDay on October 15, to reinforce healthy habits within the community.  The annual campaign is sponsored by Butler County Water System, Warren County Water District, Simpson County Water District and the Barren River District Health Department.  This community wide Wash Your Hands campaign brings attention to proper handwashing in an effort to keep our community healthy.

“The Barren River District Health Department works to help our communities stay at their optimal health and we are always eager to form partnerships with other organizations that are interested in promoting healthy lifestyles – that’s why this alliance with Butler, Warren and Simpson Water has proven to be successful in the past. Our outreach is stronger when we band together and is even more important during a pandemic,” stated Ashley Lillard, Barren River District Health Department Director for Population Health.    

The wash your hands campaign provides free mirror clings for schools, daycares, businesses and other organizations to use in their facilities.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing is the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others.

General Manager John Dix is pleased to launch this campaign once again with BRDHD.  “The fight against COVID-19 impacts everyone within our community and by reinforcing our messaging to properly wash hands for at least 20 seconds will lessen the spread with the continued reminders. Frequent and proper hand hygiene is on the most important things we can all do to prevent infection.  Our message is simply to spread the word, not the germs.”  

To receive free mirror clings/posters for your school/daycare, business or organization stop by the offices of Butler County Water System, Warren County Water District, Simpson County Water District or the Barren River District Health Department. 

JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

The Butler County Water District promotes education in the water supply field by offering an annual scholarship to a graduating high school senior.  Dustin Johnson of Butler County High School was presented with a $1,000 scholarship to Western Kentucky University for the 2020-2021 academic year.

“Dustin’s qualities of a hard-working student and community servant elevated him as the top candidate. He held various leadership/officer roles in high school while earning over 300 community hours.  Dustin was a familiar face with the Morgantown Nursing Home Visitation program. We are excited to offer assistance as he furthers his higher education by pursuing a degree in accounting at WKU, said Warren Water General Manager John Dix. “This scholarship is another way that we can serve our community and our customers.” 

In an effort to foster success of future water utility professionals the scholarship is offered to assist a Butler County high school senior pursuing further education in a related field.  The scholarship is renewable for four years, as long as requirements are maintained.

For application and eligibility details, students should contact their high school guidance counselor or visit www.butlerwater.com.

About Butler County Water System

Butler Water serves a diverse blend of residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial water users.  The system provides an average of 900,000 gallons of water each day through a network of 528 miles of pipeline in a 440-square-mile area. Butler Water draws its supply from the Green River which is then treated at it’s 2 million gallon per day treatment plant in Morgantown.  Details about Butler Water can be found online at butlerwater.com.

On July 16, the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission (RDRWC) celebrated the renovation project of the Rochester Dam, a vital water supply to the region.  The repairs are slated for completion in November.  With the dam preservation, the pool levels will be stabilized ensuring 50,000 residents in Ohio, Butler and Muhlenberg Counties with continued safe drinking water.

“The Rochester Dam constructed in the 1830s, served our region for nearly two centuries.  The project became a priority to secure necessary funding to repair and stabilize the dam. We are currently in the second phase of the project with continued repairs and final steps to secure an old mill. The last phase involves adding a barrier to the protect the dam and stabilizing original water levels,” explained John Dix, Secretary for RDRWC and General Manager of Butler County Water System, Inc. “The stability of this dam is crucial for our water supply along with supporting thousands of jobs in the region.”

“In the beginning, the Rochester Dam appeared to be an unsolvable problem, but local leaders took responsibility to make this project a priority.  With their leadership and drive to keep the renovation on our radar at the state level, Senator McConnell and I were able to secure funding. This is an excellent example of work being done within the House and Senate for rural America that will impact the water supply to 50,000 residents in the region,” said Brett Guthrie, U.S. Congressman.

On October 1, 2015, the RDRWC entered a twenty-five year management lease with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to preserve the Rochester Dam, enabling RDRWC to protect and preserve the pool level. USACE provided guidance and studies over the years resulting in approved funding from strong partnerships among citizens and government officials.

Through multiple legislative measures utilizing his role as Senate Majority Leader and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell helped mobilize federal resources to protect this vital water source. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “What I enjoy most about my job is projects like this that will meet the needs of Kentucky.  I commend local leadership for your dedication and vision forming strategic partnerships to make this project come to fruition. Compliments to Congressman Guthrie on helping to move this along in the House of Representatives. Congratulations to everyone involved with this project including the residents who will have a secure water supply.”

“Thanks to the support and leadership from our state and local elected officials, we have forged new partnerships necessary to stabilize and repair the Rochester Dam.  We appreciate the continued commitment of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie along with our state representatives for their support to protect our water source for the region,” said Weymouth Martin, Chairman of the RDRWC.  “The $4 million project would not be possible without the allocation of a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The remainder of the project costs will be covered by a $1 million loan through Kentucky Rural Water Finance Corporation.

The Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission was formed in 2013 through a collaboration of county and utility leaders serving Ohio, Butler, and Muhlenberg Counties. The mission of the RDRWC is to provide an adequate and dependable supply of water for the region which derives its water supply from Pool 3 of the Green River.

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Images Courtesy of the Office of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell for Kentucky

Butler Water delivers drinking water through a network of pipes to your business. After the water flows through the meter, building owners are responsible for maintaining water quality.

As buildings reopen, businesses, schools and property management teams will begin restarting systems that have been empty or under used. Properly flushing plumbing is essential before reoccupying.

Flushing water lines and water using appliances, is an easy way to ensure that high water quality is maintained. It moves older water, that has been sitting in the pipes, out of the building and brings in fresh water.

Flushing is easy, follow the steps below.