# data[].attributes.body
Some of the pipes being used in the water system are over 100 years old and have a life expectancy of 75 years.

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Junior Hunt, left, and Bobby Fletcher pick up donated water in Huntleyville, Ky., to share with Martin County residents. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

LOVELY, Ky. - When the well water here turned brown and started tasting salty, Heather Blevins's parents hooked their property on Dead Man's Curve into the municipal supply. It seemed like a blessing until new hazards emerged: Today, Blevins says, the tap water smells of bleach, occasionally takes on a urine-colored tinge, and leaves her 7- and 8-year-old children itching every time they take a bath.

"The way the water is now, I'd rather have well water," said Blevins, 44, who keeps a constant eye on the county water district's Facebook page to watch for pipe breaks and boil-water advisories. Blevins, who says her water rates rocketed recently from $19 to almost $40 a month, sets aside money from her $980 Social Security check for bottled drinking water and chemical-free baby wipes to keep her allergy-prone children clean.

"It shouldn't be like that," she said.

It's been "like that" for decades here in Martin County, as it has in other pockmarked parts of coal country. The water crisis peaked last year when service to many residents was shut off, members of the water board quit, and the attorney general opened a criminal investigation into allegations of mismanagement. The Kentucky House recently passed a resolution asking Gov. Matt Bevin (R) to declare a state of emergency and free up resources to fix the dilapidated system.

On Saturday, Bevin held a community forum with residents in Inez, the county seat, where he said he had not decided about the state of emergency but pledged to channel state and federal dollars toward the problem.

"We've done more in the last three months than was done in the previous three years," Bevin said.

The water board's new chairman, Jimmy Don Kerr, has taken a lead role in trying to reverse the downward trend.

But State Rep. Chris Harris (D), who advocated for the state of emergency, warned that Martin County's problems could soon be everyone's.

"As the infrastructure deteriorates around the country, we are going to see more and more Martin Counties," he said.

The challenges are monumental here in Appalachia and beyond: The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation's drinking-water system a D grade in its quadrennial report card. The network of more than 1 million miles of pipes includes many that are a century old and have a 75-year life expectancy. Across the country, 14 percent of treated water is lost through leaks, and here in Martin County, that figure has at times reached more than 70 percent. The American Water Works Association estimates that it will take $1 trillion to support demand over the next 25 years; in Martin County, repairs carry a price tag exceeding $10 million.

President Trump, like President Barack Obama before him, touted the economic importance of repairing the country's crumbling infrastructure. Neither has succeeded. Among the 2020 presidential candidates, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) stands out for her emphasis on improving infrastructure as a major policy proposal, calling for $1 trillion in federal and state funds to be spent in seven areas, including updating bridges and Internet connectivity, and ensuring clean water.

Drinking water, which is typically funded by local rates, is a particularly tough sell, with little to show for investment that is largely spent underground. Updating small systems such as Martin County's presents additional problems, experts say, because they lack economies of scale and have limited technical and managerial resources.

'An increased risk of cancer'

Greg Scott, the water district's new general manager, sounds optimistic as he speaks from an office at the treatment plant, where he stores stacks of bottled water - handouts for residents whose supply fails.

Only two of the three giant blue clarifier tanks at the plant are operable, and the district is deeply in debt.

"We can climb out of the hole," he said.

It is a heady goal for this coal-fueled county where Lyndon B. Johnson launched his War on Poverty 55 years ago. Forty percent of the 12,000 residents still live below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate is well above the national average.

The closure of coal mines has taken away jobs and also the coal severance funds that companies pay to mining communities.

"For all of the money that came out of those hills, they should have the best water system, the best schools and colleges," said Gail Brion, a professor of engineering at the University of Kentucky. "I don't see that they have gotten their fair share."

Hilly terrain, carved by rivers and punctuated by springs, exacerbates the technical challenges, as water has to be forced under high pressure to reach families up in the mountains. Leaks create a vacuum that sucks in the surrounding dirt and can create a hazardous concoction with disinfecting chemicals.

For years, customers' utility bills warned that prolonged exposure to contaminants could lead to problems with the "liver, kidneys, or central nervous system" and "an increased risk of cancer." And for years, according to the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates utilities and has conducted investigations into Martin County, the water board failed to take the politically unpopular step of raising rates to make improvements.

"If you don't keep up infrastructure, costs balloon out of control," said Andrew Melnykovych, a PSC spokesman who described the recent rate increase as a necessary catch-up.

Mike Schmitt, chairman of the PSC, called Martin County "by far the worst water district, in my opinion, in the state of Kentucky."

A few residents kept a close eye on the mounting crisis, posting news of pipe breaks and photos of filthy water online, as well as bird-dogging local officials. After Nina McCoy, of Martin County Concerned Citizens, started working with the Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, the attorney general opened his inquiry into the whereabouts of a "$3 million grant from the Coal Severance Fund," among other things. Any potential criminal findings, Andy Beshear's office said, will be presented to a Martin County grand jury.

Former judge executive Kelly Callaham, who used to appoint the board, denied that money had been misspent but acknowledged that there had been mismanagement. He said it stemmed from board members' unwillingness to cut off people who did not pay their bills.

"When you live in a small town, these people, you're going to see them at the store, at the post office," Callaham said.

Kerr, who said he drinks the local water, promises transparency. But decades of mistrust have tainted attitudes toward any development - prime among them the construction of a high school that is almost complete but lacks on-site water.

The project has been beset by delays over the route the waterlines should take and a request for a much larger water tank than the school needed. Callaham and James Booth, a former coal baron and chairman of the Martin County Economic Development Authority, said that they requested the tank to provide for a new industrial park, as well. Critics, including McCoy, worry that the added demand will put more pressure on a system strained to the breaking point - and that the person likely to profit most is Booth, who owns gas stations, convenience stores and other commercial enterprises in the county.

For now, tanker trucks fill up in Inez and drive uphill to the construction site, where they disgorge the water into smaller tanks.

Larry James, the schools superintendent, declined an interview. Booth did not respond to calls or emails. Asked whether he saw potential conflicts of interest, Callaham said: "I guess it could kind of be. But would you rather not have nothing than [Booth] developing these good jobs?"

Kerr said he has decided to look forward.

"It doesn't bother me. Maybe it should, but it doesn't," he said. "He is the one guy in town who can provide future economic development."

Kerr has secured two federal grants totaling nearly $5 million and says more than $3 million could be on the way. The water district is now paying its bills and has repaid about $150,000 of its more than $1 million debt.

The health warnings are gone from utility bills, following changes in the chlorination process.

He has set priorities, starting with the hydraulics.

"We're steering the ship, not just plugging the leaks," Kerr said. "Literally."

He is also trying to engage local activists and has asked McCoy to join the water board. Even if he finds money to pay for repairs, a rate-based system depends on customers using the water.

"I don't know how we change people's minds," Kerr said. "That's what keeps me up. How do we get people to trust the water again?"

Ongoing distrust

"Dementia. Dementia. Dementia," says BarbiAnn Maynard, pointing to her neighbors' houses one by one from her front window. At 62, her father has neurological symptoms she can't explain, and she wonders whether the "central nervous system" problems she used to read about on her water bills have anything to do with them.

Every 10 days, Maynard drives about 30 minutes from her home in Huntleyville to fill one-gallon plastic jugs from a hose that spews spring water toward a four-lane highway. Scientists from Virginia Tech have told her that the water tests positive for E. coli and coliform bacteria, but Maynard said she would rather boil it than drink her tap water.

Since a neighbor died in a house fire, she worries that firefighters might not be able to help others, such as Jess Taylor, who lives on a mountainside across the road where the water pressure is low, so she collects rainwater in buckets for her goats and to flush toilets.

Many people, such as Blevins, buy bottled water. Others hope for donations, which flow in on small rented trucks and vast 18-wheelers.

In early April, Lydia Coffey and Cathy Carter, both retired teachers, drove four hours in a U-Haul to deliver bottled water collected through the informational group Kentucky Teachers in the Know.

They unloaded cases onto a trailer, then paused to chat with local residents. Carter's voice broke as she rested in the back of the now-empty U-Haul.

"It makes me emotional that people have to deal with this in the 21st century," she said, "in the country that's supposed to be so great."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A crisis in Kentucky shows the high cost of clean drinking water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As Martin County tries to fix its deteriorating system, old pipes across the country continue breaking down, increasing the risk of disease.

# data[].attributes.body
Water is sometimes shutdown in Kentucky counties because of contamination. This leaves people without water for days sometimes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Junior Hunt, left, and Bobby Fletcher pick up donated water in Huntleyville, Ky., to share with Martin County residents. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

LOVELY, Ky. - When the well water here turned brown and started tasting salty, Heather Blevins's parents hooked their property on Dead Man's Curve into the municipal supply. It seemed like a blessing until new hazards emerged: Today, Blevins says, the tap water smells of bleach, occasionally takes on a urine-colored tinge, and leaves her 7- and 8-year-old children itching every time they take a bath.

"The way the water is now, I'd rather have well water," said Blevins, 44, who keeps a constant eye on the county water district's Facebook page to watch for pipe breaks and boil-water advisories. Blevins, who says her water rates rocketed recently from $19 to almost $40 a month, sets aside money from her $980 Social Security check for bottled drinking water and chemical-free baby wipes to keep her allergy-prone children clean.

"It shouldn't be like that," she said.

It's been "like that" for decades here in Martin County, as it has in other pockmarked parts of coal country. The water crisis peaked last year when service to many residents was shut off, members of the water board quit, and the attorney general opened a criminal investigation into allegations of mismanagement. The Kentucky House recently passed a resolution asking Gov. Matt Bevin (R) to declare a state of emergency and free up resources to fix the dilapidated system.

On Saturday, Bevin held a community forum with residents in Inez, the county seat, where he said he had not decided about the state of emergency but pledged to channel state and federal dollars toward the problem.

"We've done more in the last three months than was done in the previous three years," Bevin said.

The water board's new chairman, Jimmy Don Kerr, has taken a lead role in trying to reverse the downward trend.

But State Rep. Chris Harris (D), who advocated for the state of emergency, warned that Martin County's problems could soon be everyone's.

"As the infrastructure deteriorates around the country, we are going to see more and more Martin Counties," he said.

The challenges are monumental here in Appalachia and beyond: The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation's drinking-water system a D grade in its quadrennial report card. The network of more than 1 million miles of pipes includes many that are a century old and have a 75-year life expectancy. Across the country, 14 percent of treated water is lost through leaks, and here in Martin County, that figure has at times reached more than 70 percent. The American Water Works Association estimates that it will take $1 trillion to support demand over the next 25 years; in Martin County, repairs carry a price tag exceeding $10 million.

President Trump, like President Barack Obama before him, touted the economic importance of repairing the country's crumbling infrastructure. Neither has succeeded. Among the 2020 presidential candidates, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) stands out for her emphasis on improving infrastructure as a major policy proposal, calling for $1 trillion in federal and state funds to be spent in seven areas, including updating bridges and Internet connectivity, and ensuring clean water.

Drinking water, which is typically funded by local rates, is a particularly tough sell, with little to show for investment that is largely spent underground. Updating small systems such as Martin County's presents additional problems, experts say, because they lack economies of scale and have limited technical and managerial resources.

'An increased risk of cancer'

Greg Scott, the water district's new general manager, sounds optimistic as he speaks from an office at the treatment plant, where he stores stacks of bottled water - handouts for residents whose supply fails.

Only two of the three giant blue clarifier tanks at the plant are operable, and the district is deeply in debt.

"We can climb out of the hole," he said.

It is a heady goal for this coal-fueled county where Lyndon B. Johnson launched his War on Poverty 55 years ago. Forty percent of the 12,000 residents still live below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate is well above the national average.

The closure of coal mines has taken away jobs and also the coal severance funds that companies pay to mining communities.

"For all of the money that came out of those hills, they should have the best water system, the best schools and colleges," said Gail Brion, a professor of engineering at the University of Kentucky. "I don't see that they have gotten their fair share."

Hilly terrain, carved by rivers and punctuated by springs, exacerbates the technical challenges, as water has to be forced under high pressure to reach families up in the mountains. Leaks create a vacuum that sucks in the surrounding dirt and can create a hazardous concoction with disinfecting chemicals.

For years, customers' utility bills warned that prolonged exposure to contaminants could lead to problems with the "liver, kidneys, or central nervous system" and "an increased risk of cancer." And for years, according to the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates utilities and has conducted investigations into Martin County, the water board failed to take the politically unpopular step of raising rates to make improvements.

"If you don't keep up infrastructure, costs balloon out of control," said Andrew Melnykovych, a PSC spokesman who described the recent rate increase as a necessary catch-up.

Mike Schmitt, chairman of the PSC, called Martin County "by far the worst water district, in my opinion, in the state of Kentucky."

A few residents kept a close eye on the mounting crisis, posting news of pipe breaks and photos of filthy water online, as well as bird-dogging local officials. After Nina McCoy, of Martin County Concerned Citizens, started working with the Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, the attorney general opened his inquiry into the whereabouts of a "$3 million grant from the Coal Severance Fund," among other things. Any potential criminal findings, Andy Beshear's office said, will be presented to a Martin County grand jury.

Former judge executive Kelly Callaham, who used to appoint the board, denied that money had been misspent but acknowledged that there had been mismanagement. He said it stemmed from board members' unwillingness to cut off people who did not pay their bills.

"When you live in a small town, these people, you're going to see them at the store, at the post office," Callaham said.

Kerr, who said he drinks the local water, promises transparency. But decades of mistrust have tainted attitudes toward any development - prime among them the construction of a high school that is almost complete but lacks on-site water.

The project has been beset by delays over the route the waterlines should take and a request for a much larger water tank than the school needed. Callaham and James Booth, a former coal baron and chairman of the Martin County Economic Development Authority, said that they requested the tank to provide for a new industrial park, as well. Critics, including McCoy, worry that the added demand will put more pressure on a system strained to the breaking point - and that the person likely to profit most is Booth, who owns gas stations, convenience stores and other commercial enterprises in the county.

For now, tanker trucks fill up in Inez and drive uphill to the construction site, where they disgorge the water into smaller tanks.

Larry James, the schools superintendent, declined an interview. Booth did not respond to calls or emails. Asked whether he saw potential conflicts of interest, Callaham said: "I guess it could kind of be. But would you rather not have nothing than [Booth] developing these good jobs?"

Kerr said he has decided to look forward.

"It doesn't bother me. Maybe it should, but it doesn't," he said. "He is the one guy in town who can provide future economic development."

Kerr has secured two federal grants totaling nearly $5 million and says more than $3 million could be on the way. The water district is now paying its bills and has repaid about $150,000 of its more than $1 million debt.

The health warnings are gone from utility bills, following changes in the chlorination process.

He has set priorities, starting with the hydraulics.

"We're steering the ship, not just plugging the leaks," Kerr said. "Literally."

He is also trying to engage local activists and has asked McCoy to join the water board. Even if he finds money to pay for repairs, a rate-based system depends on customers using the water.

"I don't know how we change people's minds," Kerr said. "That's what keeps me up. How do we get people to trust the water again?"

Ongoing distrust

"Dementia. Dementia. Dementia," says BarbiAnn Maynard, pointing to her neighbors' houses one by one from her front window. At 62, her father has neurological symptoms she can't explain, and she wonders whether the "central nervous system" problems she used to read about on her water bills have anything to do with them.

Every 10 days, Maynard drives about 30 minutes from her home in Huntleyville to fill one-gallon plastic jugs from a hose that spews spring water toward a four-lane highway. Scientists from Virginia Tech have told her that the water tests positive for E. coli and coliform bacteria, but Maynard said she would rather boil it than drink her tap water.

Since a neighbor died in a house fire, she worries that firefighters might not be able to help others, such as Jess Taylor, who lives on a mountainside across the road where the water pressure is low, so she collects rainwater in buckets for her goats and to flush toilets.

Many people, such as Blevins, buy bottled water. Others hope for donations, which flow in on small rented trucks and vast 18-wheelers.

In early April, Lydia Coffey and Cathy Carter, both retired teachers, drove four hours in a U-Haul to deliver bottled water collected through the informational group Kentucky Teachers in the Know.

They unloaded cases onto a trailer, then paused to chat with local residents. Carter's voice broke as she rested in the back of the now-empty U-Haul.

"It makes me emotional that people have to deal with this in the 21st century," she said, "in the country that's supposed to be so great."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A crisis in Kentucky shows the high cost of clean drinking water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As Martin County tries to fix its deteriorating system, old pipes across the country continue breaking down, increasing the risk of disease.

# data[].attributes.body
Citizens have to worry constantly about whether the water is safe to use or not. The officials aren't fast enough, and can't get the warning out quick enough every time to prevent citizens from using the water.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Junior Hunt, left, and Bobby Fletcher pick up donated water in Huntleyville, Ky., to share with Martin County residents. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

LOVELY, Ky. - When the well water here turned brown and started tasting salty, Heather Blevins's parents hooked their property on Dead Man's Curve into the municipal supply. It seemed like a blessing until new hazards emerged: Today, Blevins says, the tap water smells of bleach, occasionally takes on a urine-colored tinge, and leaves her 7- and 8-year-old children itching every time they take a bath.

"The way the water is now, I'd rather have well water," said Blevins, 44, who keeps a constant eye on the county water district's Facebook page to watch for pipe breaks and boil-water advisories. Blevins, who says her water rates rocketed recently from $19 to almost $40 a month, sets aside money from her $980 Social Security check for bottled drinking water and chemical-free baby wipes to keep her allergy-prone children clean.

"It shouldn't be like that," she said.

It's been "like that" for decades here in Martin County, as it has in other pockmarked parts of coal country. The water crisis peaked last year when service to many residents was shut off, members of the water board quit, and the attorney general opened a criminal investigation into allegations of mismanagement. The Kentucky House recently passed a resolution asking Gov. Matt Bevin (R) to declare a state of emergency and free up resources to fix the dilapidated system.

On Saturday, Bevin held a community forum with residents in Inez, the county seat, where he said he had not decided about the state of emergency but pledged to channel state and federal dollars toward the problem.

"We've done more in the last three months than was done in the previous three years," Bevin said.

The water board's new chairman, Jimmy Don Kerr, has taken a lead role in trying to reverse the downward trend.

But State Rep. Chris Harris (D), who advocated for the state of emergency, warned that Martin County's problems could soon be everyone's.

"As the infrastructure deteriorates around the country, we are going to see more and more Martin Counties," he said.

The challenges are monumental here in Appalachia and beyond: The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation's drinking-water system a D grade in its quadrennial report card. The network of more than 1 million miles of pipes includes many that are a century old and have a 75-year life expectancy. Across the country, 14 percent of treated water is lost through leaks, and here in Martin County, that figure has at times reached more than 70 percent. The American Water Works Association estimates that it will take $1 trillion to support demand over the next 25 years; in Martin County, repairs carry a price tag exceeding $10 million.

President Trump, like President Barack Obama before him, touted the economic importance of repairing the country's crumbling infrastructure. Neither has succeeded. Among the 2020 presidential candidates, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) stands out for her emphasis on improving infrastructure as a major policy proposal, calling for $1 trillion in federal and state funds to be spent in seven areas, including updating bridges and Internet connectivity, and ensuring clean water.

Drinking water, which is typically funded by local rates, is a particularly tough sell, with little to show for investment that is largely spent underground. Updating small systems such as Martin County's presents additional problems, experts say, because they lack economies of scale and have limited technical and managerial resources.

'An increased risk of cancer'

Greg Scott, the water district's new general manager, sounds optimistic as he speaks from an office at the treatment plant, where he stores stacks of bottled water - handouts for residents whose supply fails.

Only two of the three giant blue clarifier tanks at the plant are operable, and the district is deeply in debt.

"We can climb out of the hole," he said.

It is a heady goal for this coal-fueled county where Lyndon B. Johnson launched his War on Poverty 55 years ago. Forty percent of the 12,000 residents still live below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate is well above the national average.

The closure of coal mines has taken away jobs and also the coal severance funds that companies pay to mining communities.

"For all of the money that came out of those hills, they should have the best water system, the best schools and colleges," said Gail Brion, a professor of engineering at the University of Kentucky. "I don't see that they have gotten their fair share."

Hilly terrain, carved by rivers and punctuated by springs, exacerbates the technical challenges, as water has to be forced under high pressure to reach families up in the mountains. Leaks create a vacuum that sucks in the surrounding dirt and can create a hazardous concoction with disinfecting chemicals.

For years, customers' utility bills warned that prolonged exposure to contaminants could lead to problems with the "liver, kidneys, or central nervous system" and "an increased risk of cancer." And for years, according to the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates utilities and has conducted investigations into Martin County, the water board failed to take the politically unpopular step of raising rates to make improvements.

"If you don't keep up infrastructure, costs balloon out of control," said Andrew Melnykovych, a PSC spokesman who described the recent rate increase as a necessary catch-up.

Mike Schmitt, chairman of the PSC, called Martin County "by far the worst water district, in my opinion, in the state of Kentucky."

A few residents kept a close eye on the mounting crisis, posting news of pipe breaks and photos of filthy water online, as well as bird-dogging local officials. After Nina McCoy, of Martin County Concerned Citizens, started working with the Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, the attorney general opened his inquiry into the whereabouts of a "$3 million grant from the Coal Severance Fund," among other things. Any potential criminal findings, Andy Beshear's office said, will be presented to a Martin County grand jury.

Former judge executive Kelly Callaham, who used to appoint the board, denied that money had been misspent but acknowledged that there had been mismanagement. He said it stemmed from board members' unwillingness to cut off people who did not pay their bills.

"When you live in a small town, these people, you're going to see them at the store, at the post office," Callaham said.

Kerr, who said he drinks the local water, promises transparency. But decades of mistrust have tainted attitudes toward any development - prime among them the construction of a high school that is almost complete but lacks on-site water.

The project has been beset by delays over the route the waterlines should take and a request for a much larger water tank than the school needed. Callaham and James Booth, a former coal baron and chairman of the Martin County Economic Development Authority, said that they requested the tank to provide for a new industrial park, as well. Critics, including McCoy, worry that the added demand will put more pressure on a system strained to the breaking point - and that the person likely to profit most is Booth, who owns gas stations, convenience stores and other commercial enterprises in the county.

For now, tanker trucks fill up in Inez and drive uphill to the construction site, where they disgorge the water into smaller tanks.

Larry James, the schools superintendent, declined an interview. Booth did not respond to calls or emails. Asked whether he saw potential conflicts of interest, Callaham said: "I guess it could kind of be. But would you rather not have nothing than [Booth] developing these good jobs?"

Kerr said he has decided to look forward.

"It doesn't bother me. Maybe it should, but it doesn't," he said. "He is the one guy in town who can provide future economic development."

Kerr has secured two federal grants totaling nearly $5 million and says more than $3 million could be on the way. The water district is now paying its bills and has repaid about $150,000 of its more than $1 million debt.

The health warnings are gone from utility bills, following changes in the chlorination process.

He has set priorities, starting with the hydraulics.

"We're steering the ship, not just plugging the leaks," Kerr said. "Literally."

He is also trying to engage local activists and has asked McCoy to join the water board. Even if he finds money to pay for repairs, a rate-based system depends on customers using the water.

"I don't know how we change people's minds," Kerr said. "That's what keeps me up. How do we get people to trust the water again?"

Ongoing distrust

"Dementia. Dementia. Dementia," says BarbiAnn Maynard, pointing to her neighbors' houses one by one from her front window. At 62, her father has neurological symptoms she can't explain, and she wonders whether the "central nervous system" problems she used to read about on her water bills have anything to do with them.

Every 10 days, Maynard drives about 30 minutes from her home in Huntleyville to fill one-gallon plastic jugs from a hose that spews spring water toward a four-lane highway. Scientists from Virginia Tech have told her that the water tests positive for E. coli and coliform bacteria, but Maynard said she would rather boil it than drink her tap water.

Since a neighbor died in a house fire, she worries that firefighters might not be able to help others, such as Jess Taylor, who lives on a mountainside across the road where the water pressure is low, so she collects rainwater in buckets for her goats and to flush toilets.

Many people, such as Blevins, buy bottled water. Others hope for donations, which flow in on small rented trucks and vast 18-wheelers.

In early April, Lydia Coffey and Cathy Carter, both retired teachers, drove four hours in a U-Haul to deliver bottled water collected through the informational group Kentucky Teachers in the Know.

They unloaded cases onto a trailer, then paused to chat with local residents. Carter's voice broke as she rested in the back of the now-empty U-Haul.

"It makes me emotional that people have to deal with this in the 21st century," she said, "in the country that's supposed to be so great."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A crisis in Kentucky shows the high cost of clean drinking water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As Martin County tries to fix its deteriorating system, old pipes across the country continue breaking down, increasing the risk of disease.

# data[].attributes.body
Kentucky has lost 80% of its historic wetlands. This has increased nutrient pollution among the land.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When this part of Kentucky was settled and cleared for farmland and development, many of these wetlands and their associated benefits were lost. Trees were cut down. Ditches and levees were installed. Streams were straightened, deepened and widened. This resulted in water running off the land quickly, taking pollution and sediment along with it. Overall, Kentucky has lost more than 80% of its historic wetlands. A recent Supreme Court decision weakens wetland protections, which could result in even more loss.

The cumulative result throughout the Mississippi River Basin has been degraded water quality in both local streams and large rivers and, ultimately, the formation of a large dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

Turning Back the Clock

Wetland restoration involves the use of voluntary programs to take frequently flooded cropland out of production, re-plant trees and change the way the water moves across the land to restore natural wetland systems.

Native tree species like cypress, overcup oak and swamp white oak are selected based on the soil type and flooding frequency of the wetland and are usually mast-producing trees planted at 435 seedlings per acre. It takes a decade or more to establish a young forest after these plantings. Restoring the hydrology of the area may include plugging ditches that were previously installed to drain the land. Occasionally a water control structure is installed. In either case, the result is that water stays on the land longer. When the land is capable of absorbing and holding water longer, it is able to remove nutrient pollution, which leads to improved water quality in local streams, the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the biggest wetland restoration project in Kentucky history, taking place in the Mississippi River basin of western Kentucky.

# data[].attributes.body
Hard water can damage your home's plumbing system. When the minerals heat up, they bind together and create blockages, causing problems like leaks.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You've probably heard of hard water before, but do you know what is it? Hard water is water straight from your tap that has different minerals dissolved into the water. Hard water can create problems in your home's plumbing, appliances, and can even affect your body.

Water is a great solvent meaning it can pick up impurities. As water runs through the ground and soil, it quickly gathers and dissolves minerals. With the large limestone deposits in Central Kentucky, calcium and magnesium are prevalent minerals in our tap water. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the harder the water will become. As the water is moved to the water treatment facilities, water companies then add chlorine, chloramine, haloacetic acid, and other chemicals to help purify the water. This combination creates an excess of chemicals and minerals in your water, which can create problems in your home.

While hard water can still be consumed and used throughout your home, it can interfere with almost every cleaning task, in-home appliance, and the overall plumbing of your home. If you have ever noticed that your clean dishes have white spots on them, or your clothes are left feeling rough after being washed, you may be tempted to initially switch your detergent or dish soap. But even after switching your cleaning supplies, you may realize the problems still exist. That's because of hard water. Hard water creates white deposits on your sink faucet, shower walls, bathtub, etc. This is caused by the calcium and magnesium that are left behind after the water evaporates.

The minerals and chemicals can actually have an impact on your skin as well. When showering in hard water, your skin absorbs water and leaves behind the minerals and chemicals. This can dry out your skin and cause irritation. It can even make your hair look dull after washing it, since the minerals and chemicals bind to your hair once the water dries. So it's not your shampoo's fault, it's hard water. While you may consider these to be only minor inconveniences, hard water can lead to much more costly problems.

Hard Water And Your Plumbing

Hard water can also damage your home's plumbing. Everything in your house that has water flowing through it can be affected by hard water. Faucets, showers, washers, dishwashers, and coffee makers can have problems due to hard water. It can even cause harm to your water heater. When the elements are heated, they bind together in your water heater and create a barrier inside of the tank, blocking the flow of water.

In tankless water heaters, the problems are a bit different. The heated minerals and chemicals will attach themselves to the inside of the pipes and restrict the flow of water. The deposits can even build up to block the water altogether. The problem lies within heating up hard water, which in return causes the calcium and magnesium to become easily connected to surfaces it flows through. The minerals and chemicals in your hard water attach to each other and then accumulate inside your plumbing.

In your water heater, this amassing can significantly decrease its life expectancy and efficiency. While other parts of the country average a 20 year life expectancy on water heaters, the Bluegrass region sees an average of 8-10 years.

If you have hard water you should regularly clean all faucets, showers, bathtubs, washers, dishwashers, and any appliances that utilize tap water. For a quick clean, you can use a combination of water, vinegar, and lemon juice to remove any hard water deposits.

However even with regular cleaning, hard water will still cause regular build ups and problems for your plumbing. These problems will exist mainly inside of the pipes and be impossible to simply clean. There are easier ways to keep your plumbing and appliances clean and your water purer. With a water purification solution, you can keep your appliances efficient and your water clean.

A Water Softener will attack hard water at the source, and neutralize any minerals in your hard water. Calcium and magnesium are positively charged ions, which result in their ability to bond with other materials. Softeners neutralize the minerals so they won't bind to surfaces. Water Softeners will stop the build up of calcium inside your plumbing system to keep it running efficiently.

The Flow-Tech Home System is a maintenance-free, eco-friendly, and cost efficient water treatment device that controls limescale build up, and clears your home's pipes. Using technology derived from years of research and development from a team of chemical engineers and scientists, Flow-Tech has created the most advanced chemical-free water treatment system available today. It works by sending high frequency waves through your home's plumbing system, and neutralizes all minerals and deposits. While Water Softeners are a great option, the Flow-Tech System has no water waste, and is a more cost efficient way of cleaning your water.

Flow-Tech Home System & Carbon Filter:

To remove all minerals and chemicals in your water, choosing both of these options will result is pure, clean water. While the Flow-Tech Home works to soften your water, a Carbon Filter targets the chemicals in your water.

For more questions about your Indoor Water Quality, or for further hard water solutions, Give the Expert Plumbers at H2O Maestro a call today at 859-361-7925.

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What Is Hard Water? Soften Your Hard Water | Fayette Heating & Air

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Hard water is water straight from your tap that has different minerals dissolved into the water. It can create tons of problems in your home's plumbing.

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Kentucky's tap water is hard water, meaning it has a lot of minerals in it. This can leave spots on dishes when you clean with it and irritate your skin when taking a shower.

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You've probably heard of hard water before, but do you know what is it? Hard water is water straight from your tap that has different minerals dissolved into the water. Hard water can create problems in your home's plumbing, appliances, and can even affect your body.

Water is a great solvent meaning it can pick up impurities. As water runs through the ground and soil, it quickly gathers and dissolves minerals. With the large limestone deposits in Central Kentucky, calcium and magnesium are prevalent minerals in our tap water. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the harder the water will become. As the water is moved to the water treatment facilities, water companies then add chlorine, chloramine, haloacetic acid, and other chemicals to help purify the water. This combination creates an excess of chemicals and minerals in your water, which can create problems in your home.

While hard water can still be consumed and used throughout your home, it can interfere with almost every cleaning task, in-home appliance, and the overall plumbing of your home. If you have ever noticed that your clean dishes have white spots on them, or your clothes are left feeling rough after being washed, you may be tempted to initially switch your detergent or dish soap. But even after switching your cleaning supplies, you may realize the problems still exist. That's because of hard water. Hard water creates white deposits on your sink faucet, shower walls, bathtub, etc. This is caused by the calcium and magnesium that are left behind after the water evaporates.

The minerals and chemicals can actually have an impact on your skin as well. When showering in hard water, your skin absorbs water and leaves behind the minerals and chemicals. This can dry out your skin and cause irritation. It can even make your hair look dull after washing it, since the minerals and chemicals bind to your hair once the water dries. So it's not your shampoo's fault, it's hard water. While you may consider these to be only minor inconveniences, hard water can lead to much more costly problems.

Hard Water And Your Plumbing

Hard water can also damage your home's plumbing. Everything in your house that has water flowing through it can be affected by hard water. Faucets, showers, washers, dishwashers, and coffee makers can have problems due to hard water. It can even cause harm to your water heater. When the elements are heated, they bind together in your water heater and create a barrier inside of the tank, blocking the flow of water.

In tankless water heaters, the problems are a bit different. The heated minerals and chemicals will attach themselves to the inside of the pipes and restrict the flow of water. The deposits can even build up to block the water altogether. The problem lies within heating up hard water, which in return causes the calcium and magnesium to become easily connected to surfaces it flows through. The minerals and chemicals in your hard water attach to each other and then accumulate inside your plumbing.

In your water heater, this amassing can significantly decrease its life expectancy and efficiency. While other parts of the country average a 20 year life expectancy on water heaters, the Bluegrass region sees an average of 8-10 years.

If you have hard water you should regularly clean all faucets, showers, bathtubs, washers, dishwashers, and any appliances that utilize tap water. For a quick clean, you can use a combination of water, vinegar, and lemon juice to remove any hard water deposits.

However even with regular cleaning, hard water will still cause regular build ups and problems for your plumbing. These problems will exist mainly inside of the pipes and be impossible to simply clean. There are easier ways to keep your plumbing and appliances clean and your water purer. With a water purification solution, you can keep your appliances efficient and your water clean.

A Water Softener will attack hard water at the source, and neutralize any minerals in your hard water. Calcium and magnesium are positively charged ions, which result in their ability to bond with other materials. Softeners neutralize the minerals so they won't bind to surfaces. Water Softeners will stop the build up of calcium inside your plumbing system to keep it running efficiently.

The Flow-Tech Home System is a maintenance-free, eco-friendly, and cost efficient water treatment device that controls limescale build up, and clears your home's pipes. Using technology derived from years of research and development from a team of chemical engineers and scientists, Flow-Tech has created the most advanced chemical-free water treatment system available today. It works by sending high frequency waves through your home's plumbing system, and neutralizes all minerals and deposits. While Water Softeners are a great option, the Flow-Tech System has no water waste, and is a more cost efficient way of cleaning your water.

Flow-Tech Home System & Carbon Filter:

To remove all minerals and chemicals in your water, choosing both of these options will result is pure, clean water. While the Flow-Tech Home works to soften your water, a Carbon Filter targets the chemicals in your water.

For more questions about your Indoor Water Quality, or for further hard water solutions, Give the Expert Plumbers at H2O Maestro a call today at 859-361-7925.

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What Is Hard Water? Soften Your Hard Water | Fayette Heating & Air

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Hard water is water straight from your tap that has different minerals dissolved into the water. It can create tons of problems in your home's plumbing.

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Some places in Kentucky don't have the funding to improve their water systems. As a result, their water quality is poorer, making a direct correlation between the economy and water quality.

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Study examines link between water quality, economic development

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LEXINGTON, Ky., — Kentucky’s water and wastewater systems are aging and a lack of funding in some areas has contributed to systems not being able to maintain standards necessary for good health. The University of Kentucky’s Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky is teaming with Co…

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Coal mining is prominent in Kentucky, but it is also harmful. It can contaminate the waterways, making it undrinkable.

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Lakes, rivers, streams, and drinking water supplies are all heavily impacted by coal mines and power plants.

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Invasive species in Kentucky's waterways disrupts the flow of nature. They can be harmful to the water, and therefore harmful to humans when they drink water.

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Only 20% of the state's water utility workforce is under 35 years old and more than 33% of the workforce plan to retire in the next 6 years. This could mean a lack of utility workers in the coming years.

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Coincidentally, J.D. Power recently named Kentucky's tap water the best in the country based on customer feedback. But as Kentucky Rural Water Association Executive Director Scott Young told state lawmakers this week, that study could give a misleading impression of many of the state's 432 public water systems.

"Many water systems were constructed decades ago. The components of these older, aging systems, such as pipelines, treatment plants, pump stations and storage facilities have reached or exceeded their useful life," Young said.

The average age of a water treatment plant in Kentucky is 38 years old, the average water main is 40 years old, and the state still has an estimated 40,000 lead service lines.

Many of the state's water utilities lack the rate structures and customer bases to cover the costs of repairs; they just don't cover enough people to make up the difference. That results in deficient systems, deferred maintenance and a ballooning backlog of repairs. That deteriorating infrastructure has cascading impacts on water quality and reliability, Young said.

"Aging infrastructure can also be a deterrent to economic growth. This is typically due to a lack of capacity, reliability and redundancy of older infrastructure," he said.

To fix it, Kentucky needs to spend more than $7.8 billion on water systems over the next 20 years, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

And it's not just the infrastructure that's aging, the workforce is aging, too. A survey from last year found only 20% of the state's water utility workforce was under the age of 35. More than a third of operators and managers plan to retire in the next six years.

Already, more than half of the water and wastewater utilities in Kentucky do not have enough certified operators to meet the daily operational needs that exist today, Young said.

It's also not going to get any cheaper in the future. The expenses water utilities incur to meet new regulations are only going to increase as the government begins to regulate emerging contaminants like PFAS chemicals, he said.

These chemicals, also known as 'forever chemicals', are linked to birth defects, certain kinds of cancer and a whole range of negative health outcomes. They've been found in drinking water systems throughout the state. The federal government is currently working through new regulations to limit their presence in the state's drinking water.

"The end cost that's going to go to ratepayers to comply with the emerging contaminants, it's going to be tremendous," he said. "But that 's not just an issue that's going to impact Kentucky, that's going to be a nationwide issue."

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Kentucky's rural water systems are struggling, lacking skilled labor and funding

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Kentucky's rural water systems face a complex series of challenges. Much of the state's infrastructure is deteriorating. Many water utilities lack the necessary workforce, and the funding to upgrade their systems.

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The average age of a water treatment plant is 40 years old. This means that they are outdated and could have problems resulting from their old age.

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Coincidentally, J.D. Power recently named Kentucky's tap water the best in the country based on customer feedback. But as Kentucky Rural Water Association Executive Director Scott Young told state lawmakers this week, that study could give a misleading impression of many of the state's 432 public water systems.

"Many water systems were constructed decades ago. The components of these older, aging systems, such as pipelines, treatment plants, pump stations and storage facilities have reached or exceeded their useful life," Young said.

The average age of a water treatment plant in Kentucky is 38 years old, the average water main is 40 years old, and the state still has an estimated 40,000 lead service lines.

Many of the state's water utilities lack the rate structures and customer bases to cover the costs of repairs; they just don't cover enough people to make up the difference. That results in deficient systems, deferred maintenance and a ballooning backlog of repairs. That deteriorating infrastructure has cascading impacts on water quality and reliability, Young said.

"Aging infrastructure can also be a deterrent to economic growth. This is typically due to a lack of capacity, reliability and redundancy of older infrastructure," he said.

To fix it, Kentucky needs to spend more than $7.8 billion on water systems over the next 20 years, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

And it's not just the infrastructure that's aging, the workforce is aging, too. A survey from last year found only 20% of the state's water utility workforce was under the age of 35. More than a third of operators and managers plan to retire in the next six years.

Already, more than half of the water and wastewater utilities in Kentucky do not have enough certified operators to meet the daily operational needs that exist today, Young said.

It's also not going to get any cheaper in the future. The expenses water utilities incur to meet new regulations are only going to increase as the government begins to regulate emerging contaminants like PFAS chemicals, he said.

These chemicals, also known as 'forever chemicals', are linked to birth defects, certain kinds of cancer and a whole range of negative health outcomes. They've been found in drinking water systems throughout the state. The federal government is currently working through new regulations to limit their presence in the state's drinking water.

"The end cost that's going to go to ratepayers to comply with the emerging contaminants, it's going to be tremendous," he said. "But that 's not just an issue that's going to impact Kentucky, that's going to be a nationwide issue."

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Kentucky's rural water systems are struggling, lacking skilled labor and funding

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Kentucky's rural water systems face a complex series of challenges. Much of the state's infrastructure is deteriorating. Many water utilities lack the necessary workforce, and the funding to upgrade their systems.

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Around 95% of Kentucky citizens have access to clean drinking water. While this number is really high, it should be 100% since water is a basic necessity.

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​EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline

The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline provides the general public, regulators, medical and water professionals, academia, and media, with information about drinking water and ground water programs authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act

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Drinking Water - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

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​EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline provides the general public, regulators, medical and water professionals, academia, and media, with information about drinking water and ground water programs authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act

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Substance abuse is an ongoing epidemic in Kentucky. More and more citizens are becoming addicted and there needs to be more reformation.

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​Improving Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Kentucky

In March 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) was invited to provide the Commonwealth of Kentucky with technical assistance on its substance use disorder (SUD) programs and policies and provide a set of policy recommendations. To better understand the strengths and gaps in Kentucky's treatment system, Pew met with more than 100 key stakeholders, analyzed available federal and state data, and reviewed the current legal and regulatory landscape.
The scope of this memo is treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), including expanding access to medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) and behavioral therapy, particularly for justice-involved individuals who would benefit from diversion from jail to substance use treatment.
By way of this memo, Pew provides 12 policy options categorized by four domains that will build on Kentucky's efforts to address the opioid crisis and may result in measurable improvements in access to MOUD. To read the memo in its entirety, click here: Pew Kentucky Memo FINAL.pdf

Gov. Andy Beshear Announces $4.6 Million in Grants to Expand Treatment and Recovery Services Including those for Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid Use Disorders

Gov. Andy Beshear along with the Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) and the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (KDBHDID) announced that a total of $4,645,070 has been awarded to twelve non-profit organizations throughout the commonwealth. The total grant funding has been distributed among Community Mental Health Centers and Neonatal Abstinence Treatment Programs from the Senate Bill 192 Treatment Grant which is administered by ODCP.

The grant awards are primarily focused on addressing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) by offering comprehensive residential treatment services to pregnant and parenting women.

ODCP and the KDBHDID collaborated together on reviewing and administrating funding to licensed not-for-profit organizations that are aggressively addressing NAS by developing or expanding comprehensive evidence-based residential treatment services and/or outpatient treatment and recovery supports to pregnant and parenting women with opioid use disorders who are transitioning from residential services.

The full list of the Community Mental Health Centers and Neonatal Abstinence Treatment Programs subaward recipients to receive funding from SB 192 Treatment Grant:
CMHCs

Cumberland River BH - $250,000

Lake Cumberland (Adanta) - $212,600

Lifeskills, Inc. - $241,900

Mountain Comprehensive Care Center - $250,000

NorthKey - $250,000

Pathways - $250,000

Pennyroyal - $250,000

River Valley - $250,000

Seven Counties - $250,000

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Communicare - $242,000

Chrysalis House - $250,000

Cumberland River BH - $248,600

Lifeskills - $213,400

Mountain Comp Care - $250,000

Pathways - $250,000

River Valley - $248,700

Seven Counties - $250,000

UKRF-PATHways - $238,800

Volunteers of America - $249,900

Senate Bill 192 ~ " The Heroin Bill"

The most talked-about issue of the General Assembly's 2015 session was also a main focus of the late-night closing hours of the session as lawmakers struck an agreement on a comprehensive bill to battle the state's heroin epidemic.

Heroin is devastating Kentucky families in a number of ways, and the legislation approved strikes back against the deadly drug on a number of fronts. The multi-prong approach includes stronger penalties for dealers and traffickers and better treatment options for addicts seeking help.

Lawmakers approved the legislation, Senate Bill 192, just hours before adjourning the 2015 session in the early morning of March 25. The bill was signed into law later that morning by Gov. Steve Beshear. Since the bill contained an emergency clause, it took effect as state law as soon as the governor signed it.

Under the new law, importing heroin into Kentucky with intent to distribute or sell is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Those convicted of selling between 2 grams and 100 grams of heroin will not be eligible for parole before serving at least half of their five to ten years sentences. Those caught selling even more would face sentences of up to 20 years.

The new law also recognizes the health crisis that heroin poses and provides new funds to make treatment more widely available to those seeking help. The state's addiction treatment system will receive an immediate $10 million boost followed by $24 million annually.

Another newly established tool in the fight against the health problems associated with heroin will permit clean needle exchanges at health departments, if a local jurisdiction approves. Supporters say the needle exchange programs show success in curbing the spread of Hepatitis C and HIV infection from shared needles. The programs also bring addicts into health departments where they'll be closer to the state's network of care and more likely to seek help for their addictions.

SB 192 will increase the availability of naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose if promptly administered. The bill also encourages people to call for help when overdose victims need it by including a "Good Samaritan" provision. That will shield people from prosecution when they seek help for someone who overdoses.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15RS/SB192.htm

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​Improving Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Kentucky In March 2021, the Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) was invited to provide the Commonwealth of Kentucky with technical assistance on its substance use disorder (SUD) programs and policies and provide a set of policy recommendations.

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Eastern Kentucky recently had huge problems with flooding. Many homes were destroyed and some lives were lost.

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Issues and Priorities - Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

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Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

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Because of Georgetown's rapid growth and need for expansion, there are less and less spaces for wildlife.

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Georgetown, Kentucky is home to many wildlife problems. The city is becoming more crowded, which means that there are fewer natural areas for wild animals to find food and live in. Raccoons, squirrels, and other animals can find their way into homes via pet doors and holes they dig under crawlspaces or decks. It can be very difficult to get rid of them once they are inside. Fortunately, you can always call AAAC Wildlife Removal of Georgetown, Kentucky.

Wildlife Removal in Georgetown, Kentucky

Because of their warmth, shelter, and closeness to food sources, attics are attractive to wildlife. When wild animals like squirrels or raccoons move into an attic, they will contaminate it with their droppings (feces) which can carry parasites that are harmful to humans including roundworm eggs, Lyme disease bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi), salmonella, and bubonic plague!

They will also tear open your roof, soffit, eaves, and ductwork causing thousands of dollars in damage. The professionals can take care of the wild animal problems in your attic. AAAC Wildlife Removal of Georgetown has a highly skilled staff of technicians who can help you with any kind of unwanted animal. We'll deal with your nuisance animal problems in an effective, humane way.

We provide humane wildlife removal services to remove snakes, opossums and raccoons from your property. We know how critical it is to eliminate these pests quickly before they can infest your space.

We've been providing humane wildlife control services for more than 15 years and we understand how to handle any wild animal problem - we're experts at raccoon removal, squirrel control, bat trapping and exclusion, pigeon control and bird proofing, rodent control (mice or rats), snake removal, and much more. We can handle nearly any type of wild animal problem you have in Georgetown, Kentucky - it doesn't matter if the animals are inside your home or out on your property somewhere (like under a deck). Call us today!

Some of the common animal removal services we provide include:

Georgetown Raccoon Removal

Raccoons are one of the most common animals to seek shelter in an attic. They are quite destructive and will rip apart insulation and ductwork if given a chance. They will also leave behind large amounts of feces which can carry parasites like raccoon roundworms.

Although raccoons can be cute, they can also pose a problem due to their tendency to get into everything and anything. Raccoons love to climb into attics, which is why they often get into trouble with people. We use only the most effective raccoon traps available. Even if there are no holes in your house or business, chances are that they can find a hole to squeeze through. Raccoons are also nocturnal and are quite active at night. They will create a crazy amount of noise so make sure your attic doesn't allow them in.

We'd be more than happy to assist you with Raccoon Removal in the Georgetown area

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels may seem like they're less dangerous than raccoons but these little animals can cause major damage to your home. Squirrels have a penchant for chewing and they will chew through just about anything including electrical wiring. As we all know, this is quite dangerous as frayed wires can easily cause a fire.

They also make quite a ruckus at night, especially during mating season. They also leave behind hair and droppings from their fur as well as create nests made of your home's drywall and insulation. There's nothing worse than discovering these things in your attic or walls!

We'd be more than happy to assist you with Squirrel Removal in the Georgetown area

Georgetown Bat Removal

Bats are an essential part of the Georgetown ecosystem and are essential for the health of our environment. If bats are living in your home or building, it is important to address the problem as soon as possible. Toxic guano (feces from bats) can be found everywhere, this can lead to a deadly disease called Histoplasmosis. This disease is caused by breathing in spores of a fungus that grows on the guano left behind by these animals.

You should take immediate action if you have been seeing bats around your home or office at night. This could indicate a serious bat infestation. Bats are great for the environment but not when they're living inside your walls - bat guano can cause all kinds of health issues including Rabies, Leptospirosis, and Histoplasmosis which is why you should get them removed as soon as possible. Our team will humanely remove them using exclusion devices such as one-way doors to ensure they don't return after every entry point has been closed.

If you need Bat Removal from your attic, call AAAC Wildlife Removal of Georgetown right now!

Pigeon and Bird Control

Birds are unsanitary creatures that can carry many parasites and diseases. They can also carry salmonella and have been known to transmit E.coli, Hantavirus, and Cryptococcus Neoformans, a fungus that is very dangerous to humans.

Birds will also often find their way inside buildings and people's houses for protection from predators outside. They pose serious health risks for anyone exposed to their droppings.

If birds are making your life a mess, call us for Bird Control today!

Georgetown Snake Removal

Snakes can be very scary, especially if they are slithering about your yard. Snake control and removal are one of our specialties here at AAAC Wildlife Removal and we've been doing it for years so you don't have to worry about these animals coming back - ever! We employ humane methods to remove snakes from commercial and residential properties, including the most effective traps available. You don't need to look any further if you are looking for a professional snake removal company in Georgetown, Kentucky. We will handle everything from snake control to damage repair and cleanup.

If snakes are sneaking around your yard or home, call us today for expert Snake Removal

Wildlife Removal from Attics

Attics are a common entry point for wildlife to homes and buildings. They usually get into attics by chewing through wood like soffit, fascia, and roof boards. Once inside the attic, wildlife will find your insulation and tear it apart to make a nest where they can bear their young or sleep during the day while you're not at home.

Wild animals love attics because they're warm, dry, and dark. Unfortunately for homeowners, that means wild critters can take up residence in the attic without you even realizing it until there's a big problem. Small openings in your attic can allow wildlife like rats, squirrels, and bats to enter.

Most critters will live in an attic year-round if they are allowed. They'll start to make themselves comfortable by making nests out of your insulation - this is how damage starts on its way from something simple like bat guano or bird droppings to full-blown wildlife infestation.

Call AAAC Wildlife Removal immediately! We know how important it is to address any problems quickly before they get worse and before your home is exposed to these disease-carrying pests and other harmful elements found within attics inhabited by wild animals.

Wild Animal Removal From Yards

Wildlife in Georgetown isn't only limited to the inside of homes. These animals can make their home in your garden, yard, or landscaping. This can create a hazardous situation for you and your family because wild animals are known carriers of dangerous diseases such as rabies or rat-bite fever just to name a few harmful elements that humans may encounter from having wildlife running around their property.

If you have been finding droppings on your lawn, along walkways and trees, or even by outdoor pet food bowls then it is likely that an animal has taken up residence nearby. Act quickly! Call an Georgetown wildlife removal company (like us!) immediately and we will dispatch our specialists to your property to safely remove the animal.

Wildlife Exclusion

Wildlife Exclusion is the most humane and effective way to eliminate wildlife problems in Georgetown homes or businesses. Wildlife Exclusion is the process of closing all entrances to the building so wildlife can't get in. We will also seal off any holes that have been chewed into your building and once the structure is closed up we can start implementing a plan for animal removal depending on what type of animals you are dealing with.

After trapping an animal, exclusion is the next step to ensure they can't get back in. We've been doing wildlife exclusion for a long time - our experts understand how important it is to make sure these critters can't come back into your home or business once you're rid of them. After we are done, we will seal all entry points and ensure that no wildlife is allowed to enter.

Let us know about your wildlife exclusion needs!

Professional Wildlife Trappers

Trapping wild animals require skill and experience. Our team uses the best technology and equipment to remove wildlife from homes in Georgetown, Kentucky. Our humane methods don't cause any harm to the animal and are safe for your family and pets. We can help you with any wildlife problems. Our team is equipped with the most up-to-date techniques to capture wild animals safely and without causing injury. Trapping is only part of the process though because once they're trapped we'll also make sure they don't come back and create more damage.

Each member of our staff is dedicated to providing Georgetown with high-quality service and customer satisfaction at all times, which means your property will be taken care of as soon as possible. Although wildlife trapping is a time-consuming process, we will ensure that every animal is properly removed and treated humanely. This way there won't be any chance for them to come back again or cause even more damage.

Full-Service Nuisance Wildlife Management in Georgetown, Kentucky

We are not simply a typical "wildlife removal" company - instead, our services extend beyond just trapping or evicting critters from people's homes. We provide professional, full-service nuisance wildlife management through our Wildlife Removal, Animal Damage Repair, and Attic Cleaning Services.

Our wildlife specialists are highly trained in understanding the habits of both common and not-so-common pests that can invade Georgetown homes - such as raccoons, rodents, bats, snakes, or other similar animals. We understand how important it is to provide an effective animal removal service to our customers, while still remaining compassionate to the wild animals.

Wildlife Damage Repair

Wild animals will do damage to your home if they're allowed to stay. We can repair any damage left behind once we've removed wildlife from an attic or anywhere else on a property in Georgetown, Kentucky. Our experts can repair any damage caused by nuisance animals, such as replacing insulation or boards, and patching up holes in your home.

If Critters have caused serious damage to your home or business, call us today for Wildlife Damage Repair!

Attic Restoration Services

Wild animals will surely leave their mark when they're in your attic. There's a good chance you'll find feces, urine, and other materials that will leave odors that are strong enough to make their way into your living spaces. Our team can clean up any mess or smells left behind after removal work - our job is to keep everyone safe so we'll make sure that your attic is completely cleaned and disinfected.

Additionally, if critters enter your attic, they'll surely damage your insulation. Insulation is essential because it regulates and maintains the temperature in a home. This can help you save money on your heating and cooling costs each month. Insulation becomes less efficient when wildlife enters an attic. They'll tear it down to create nests, which can make homes less energy-efficient overall.

If your attic looks trashed because of a wildlife infestation, call us today for Attic Restoration!

Dead Animal Removal

If there are dead animals in your home then you'll want to call our team to get them out right away! If you don't act quickly, they can cause horrible smells in your home. They often die in difficult-to-reach areas and can be very unpleasant to handle. We will remove the dead animal and clean up the mess, so your home is returned to normal as quickly as possible.

We can also provide decontamination, air purification, and deodorization if needed. This prevents the risk of disease and future infestations.

What Makes Us the Best Wildlife Removal Company for you?

AAAC Wildlife Removal has been creating some of the most successful wildlife removal businesses in America for the past 15 years. It is not an accident that we are the best. We have an amazing team of experts who know how to handle every situation from squirrels in the attic, raccoons living under your house, bats flying around inside, and getting rid of mice & rats - you name it!

We understand how much of a pest these critters can be and that's why our team is the best at what we do because your satisfaction means everything to us. You won't find another nuisance wildlife control company in Georgetown, Kentucky that has more experience than us so give us a call if you need help with wildlife in your home!

We can guarantee that:

Because we care about each customer, we are always prompt, polite, and professional in all of our jobs. We know that with wildlife problems, you need fast services and therefore can always rely on us to make sure everything is taken care of as soon as possible.

We are passionate about our craft and helping people. This is why we always go above and beyond to ensure 100% customer satisfaction.

All of our team members are skilled trappers who can handle any animal and many situations in a safe and humane manner that doesn't cause harm to the animals or damage to your property. They are motivated and knowledgeable in all aspects of wildlife removal techniques.

We are compassionate and humane when it comes to animals and always make sure they are safe, healthy, and won't get hurt during the removal process. We will never harm any animal in your home or business - we don't believe in hurting them! All of our trapping methods are guaranteed not to cause injury so you can rest easy knowing that your home is free of wild animals.

All of our team members are masters in carpentry and home repairs and can fix any damage caused by squirrels, rats, or other animals to your home or business.

Our company is licensed and certified in Georgetown and the state of Kentucky. Google also rates us highly!

Our wildlife removal services are guaranteed 100% and we always stand behind our work!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Do I Call to Remove a Wild Animal in Georgetown?

It all depends on the animal being addressed. The Georgetown animal services should be called if it is a feral dog or cat. However, if it's a woodland creature (such as raccoon, squirrel, bat, snake) then a wild animal removal services company should be called.

How Do You Get Rid of Animals in Kentucky?

Wildlife problems are handled differently depending on species, its size, and where it is located. Exclusion is the most common method of removing bats, while cage traps can be used to capture squirrels and raccoons.

Wildlife Removal Nearby

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About Georgetown

Georgetown is a home rule-class city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The 2020 population was 37,086 per the United States Census Bureau. It is the 6th-largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the seat of its county. Wikipedia

Top Sights

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Wildlife Removal Georgetown - AAAC Wildlife Removal of Lexington

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Don't let an unwanted Critter wreck your Georgetown home or put your family's health in danger! Let the pros remove them safely and humanely!

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Only 36% of Kentucky residents are college educated. The school system in Kentucky is clearly lacking in preparing its students for college.

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Where Kentucky Places in the U.S. News Best States Rankings

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Kentucky ranks No. 39 overall among U.S. states based on 71 metrics across eight categories.

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Kentucky has a medium income of around 35,000 dollars, making it an extremely poor state.

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Where Kentucky Places in the U.S. News Best States Rankings

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Kentucky ranks No. 39 overall among U.S. states based on 71 metrics across eight categories.

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Kentucky ranks as one of the unhealthiest states in the country. This can be attributed to environmental connections.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

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There is only one waste water facility in Georgetown. The city needs more as it is rapidly growing to accommodate its size.

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Explore 66 Georgetown reviews from current residents.

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As Georgetown grows, the city government needs to cater to its citizens. There is a lack of public transportation and walking infrastructure that should be remedied.

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Explore 66 Georgetown reviews from current residents.

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There aren't a lot of food options. There are too many chicken restaurants and a lot of fast foods in general. There should be more sit-down restaurants.

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Explore 66 Georgetown reviews from current residents.

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There aren't any places to hang out or take pictures. The majority of Georgetown is work buildings or places where you can't really hang out.

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Explore 66 Georgetown reviews from current residents.

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Georgetown caters too much towards Toyota. The only real job opportunities are through Toyota, making the majority of the population Toyota workers. This pretty much means if you don't work at Toyota in Georgetown, then you work a minimum wage job.

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Explore 66 Georgetown reviews from current residents.

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There are lots of bacteria and other germs in Kentucky waterways. The high amounts of bacteria makes swimming in these bodies dangerous because it makes you sick.

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Overgrowth of algae in Kentucky waterways causes rashes, breathing problems, and other sickness. This makes swimming in natural bodies of water dangerous.

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Forever chemicals are chemicals in everyday products such as food wrappers that have really strong bonds, making them hard to break down. These chemicals are leaking into drinking water in Kentucky counties, making it unsafe to drink.

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For years, environmental officials have said the levels of forever chemicals found in Kentucky drinking water were safe, but on Wednesday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revised that risk.

At least 38 drinking water systems in Kentucky, including Louisville, have levels of forever chemicals the EPA now considers to have adverse health impacts, according to a WFPL News analysis.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), describe a class of more than 12,000 chemicals used in everyday products: food wrappers, non-stick pans, firefighting foam, carpeting, clothing and cosmetics.

They're often called "forever chemicals" because their carbon-fluorine chains are among the strongest chemical bonds in nature and take an extremely long time to break down. Once they're in an ecosystem, that ecosystem is stuck with them. The chemicals can be found in soil, air, water, fish tissue and even in fruits and vegetables that have grown in PFAS-contaminated soil.

Ingestion of the chemicals has been linked to birth defects, kidney, testicular and ovarian cancer, as well as damage to the liver, immune system and thyroid, according to the EPA and the Duke University Medical Center.

"These chemicals build up in our bodies, so what's in your body today is a function of maybe your last 10 years, maybe even more," said Linda Birnbaum, scientist emeritus and the former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. "I believe from my extensive reading and study we should aim to reduce exposures as much as possible."

Even with these known risks, the federal government has not yet regulated the use of PFAS compounds. The lifetime health advisory the EPA issued Wednesday does not have the force of law, and utilities are not required to do anything about the forever chemicals present in their drinking water.

The EPA said it's updating the advisory levels to provide technical guidance to federal, state and local governments to address PFAS in drinking water, according to a press release. The agency is working on drafting new regulations but in the meantime, it's encouraging drinking water utilities and government to warn residents about the contamination, and take steps to address it.

"People on the front-lines of PFAS contamination have suffered for far too long. That's why EPA is taking aggressive action as part of a whole-of-government approach to prevent these chemicals from entering the environment and to help protect concerned families from this pervasive challenge," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release.

PFAS in Kentucky

While Kentucky does not regulate PFAS chemicals, the state's Energy and Environment Cabinet has over the last few years begun researching the extent to which the chemicals are contaminating the state.

They found the chemicals practically everywhere they looked. A 2021 study from Kentucky's Department of Environmental Protection found PFAS chemicals in 90% of the surface waters they sampled, which included every major watershed in the state.

That came after a 2019 study for which state experts tested 81 water treatment plants across the state. They found detectable levels of PFAS chemicals in about half of them.

At least 38 of those systems have levels above the EPA's new health advisory standards, based on WFPL's analysis of the 2019 study. The chemicals were found in every single drinking water system they tested along the Ohio River, including Louisville's.

The state, however, has not always warned residents of the risks of PFAS contamination present in their communities.

In Henderson, Ky., state officials hid from the public the extent of PFAS pollution from Shamrock Technologies, failed to inform residents and businesses near heavily contaminated areas and downplayed the pollution in statements to WFPL.

Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet spokesperson John Mura said the state is conducting further testing and reviewing environmental databases to identify companies that could be generating PFAS chemicals in Kentucky.

The state will enforce regulatory limits on PFAS chemicals once they are established by the EPA, he said.

"Our mission is to protect our land, air, and water resources for the health and benefit of all Kentuckians," Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said in a written statement.

Contamination in Louisville

The Louisville Water Company has been testing PFAS compounds for about eight years, and in that time it has regularly detected the chemicals at varying levels.

A four-year average of PFAS samples at Louisville Water demonstrated one chemical far above the EPA's new lifetime health advisory standards, Dearing Smith said. The state's 2019 study found two compounds over the health standards.

"What our scientists and our engineering teams are doing right now is evaluating how we are treating the water right now and what we get with an additional treatment strategy," Dearing Smith said.

One of the challenges facing drinking water utilities across the country will be detecting the chemicals at the level of the health advisory.

The previous health advisory set a combined lifetime limit for two chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, of 70 parts per trillion (ppt). The new limits for those chemicals are magnitudes lower:

The EPA also added new guidelines for two other PFAS chemicals:

2,000 ppt for PFBS

10 ppt for HFPO-DA (also known as Gen X)

Dearing Smith said the lowest levels scientists can currently detect is 2 ppt.

"These are microscopic, trace amounts, and that's the really tough part with this," she said.

Treatment options for utilities and residents

At the same time the EPA announced the health standards, it also invited states and territories to apply for $1 billion to address PFAS chemicals in drinking water, specifically in small and disadvantaged communities.

Utilities and community members can treat drinking water for PFAS chemicals using activated carbon. It effectively absorbs the chemicals as the water passes through, but there are downsides. Carbon needs to be regularly replenished, is less effective for certain types of PFAS and can be cost prohibitive for smaller drinking water systems. Two other, more expensive, options include using reverse osmosis or ion exchange to remove the chemicals.

The Environmental Working Group put together a guide about at-home filtering options. But drinking water isn't the only source of PFAS contamination. The EPA has a list of recommendations people can take to reduce their risk.

The EPA is also working on regulations to limit PFAS chemicals in drinking water and plans to release a proposal this fall.

As of October 2021, The Environmental Working Group has documented nearly 3,000 public and private water systems that are known to be contaminated with PFAS chemicals.

Birnbaum said this is just the tip of the iceberg. The chemicals have traveled to the Arctic and are found in polar bears and whales. Essentially all Americans are contaminated, she said.

"So I would ask 'why are we still making chemicals that will never go away?'" Birnbaum said.
Reporter Justin Hicks contributed to this story. Correction: A previous version misstated Louisville Water Company's four-year sampling average. The company found only one PFAS compound above the new health advisory standards. Kentucky's Department for Environmental Protection found two PFAS compounds over the new health advisory standards in 2019.

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'Forever chemicals' threaten drinking water across Kentucky

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At least 38 utilities have potentially unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals in the drinking water, according to a revised EPA health advisory.

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Sewage water seeps into the drinking water in multiple counties in Kentucky. This makes the water completely undrinkable, leaving many Kentuckians without a reliable source of water.

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About kentucky

The majority of the drinking water in Kentucky comes from its rivers and streams. The largest river in Kentucky, the Ohio River serves as the primary water source for Louisville. Louisville is Kentucky's biggest city, and it has the highest demand for water. Louisville is known for the taste of its tap water, and it has been ranked as some of the best in the country.

However, Louisville's tap water was recently tested and found to contain small levels of contaminants such as PFAS. The other larger cities in Kentucky such as Lexington and Greensboro have similar water quality and rarely face major water issues. One of the issues that do exist however is the lead pipes used to deliver the water still haven't all been replaced.

Despite that, the real water quality issues dwell in the Appalachian hills in eastern Kentucky. Martin County, Kentucky is the home of one of the worst water crises in America. Martin County faces a myriad of compounding issues that have led to a water insecurity crisis.

The issues started on October 11th, 2000, when a coal slurry storage pool failed. The storage area owned and operated by Massey Energy was built over an abandoned mine shaft. The bottom of the slurry pit fell into the open shaft and the slurry rushed in to fill the void. The slurry was spit out of the mine entrances and exits and flowed into the surrounding waterways such as Wolfs Creek and the Tug Fork River. The 306 million cubic gallons of poisonous coal slurry that spilled into the basin of Martin County was at the time the largest pollution spill in United States history.

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Kentucky - Water Insecurity Correction Coalition

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The majority of the drinking water in Kentucky comes from its rivers and streams. The largest river in Kentucky, the Ohio River serves as the primary water source for Louisville. Louisville is Kentucky's biggest city, and it has the highest demand for water.

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Water bills are really expensive in Kentucky, and sometimes, that water can be undrinkable. Even though it is undrinkable, Kentuckian residents are still forced to pay these expensive bills.

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About kentucky

The majority of the drinking water in Kentucky comes from its rivers and streams. The largest river in Kentucky, the Ohio River serves as the primary water source for Louisville. Louisville is Kentucky's biggest city, and it has the highest demand for water. Louisville is known for the taste of its tap water, and it has been ranked as some of the best in the country.

However, Louisville's tap water was recently tested and found to contain small levels of contaminants such as PFAS. The other larger cities in Kentucky such as Lexington and Greensboro have similar water quality and rarely face major water issues. One of the issues that do exist however is the lead pipes used to deliver the water still haven't all been replaced.

Despite that, the real water quality issues dwell in the Appalachian hills in eastern Kentucky. Martin County, Kentucky is the home of one of the worst water crises in America. Martin County faces a myriad of compounding issues that have led to a water insecurity crisis.

The issues started on October 11th, 2000, when a coal slurry storage pool failed. The storage area owned and operated by Massey Energy was built over an abandoned mine shaft. The bottom of the slurry pit fell into the open shaft and the slurry rushed in to fill the void. The slurry was spit out of the mine entrances and exits and flowed into the surrounding waterways such as Wolfs Creek and the Tug Fork River. The 306 million cubic gallons of poisonous coal slurry that spilled into the basin of Martin County was at the time the largest pollution spill in United States history.

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Kentucky - Water Insecurity Correction Coalition

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The majority of the drinking water in Kentucky comes from its rivers and streams. The largest river in Kentucky, the Ohio River serves as the primary water source for Louisville. Louisville is Kentucky's biggest city, and it has the highest demand for water.

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Some cities in Kentucky have had problems with their drinking water. Citizens have gotten sick and are without a reliable source of water for certain periods of time.  Lead, which is poisonous, pipes are still in use in parts of Kentucky.

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About kentucky

The majority of the drinking water in Kentucky comes from its rivers and streams. The largest river in Kentucky, the Ohio River serves as the primary water source for Louisville. Louisville is Kentucky's biggest city, and it has the highest demand for water. Louisville is known for the taste of its tap water, and it has been ranked as some of the best in the country.

However, Louisville's tap water was recently tested and found to contain small levels of contaminants such as PFAS. The other larger cities in Kentucky such as Lexington and Greensboro have similar water quality and rarely face major water issues. One of the issues that do exist however is the lead pipes used to deliver the water still haven't all been replaced.

Despite that, the real water quality issues dwell in the Appalachian hills in eastern Kentucky. Martin County, Kentucky is the home of one of the worst water crises in America. Martin County faces a myriad of compounding issues that have led to a water insecurity crisis.

The issues started on October 11th, 2000, when a coal slurry storage pool failed. The storage area owned and operated by Massey Energy was built over an abandoned mine shaft. The bottom of the slurry pit fell into the open shaft and the slurry rushed in to fill the void. The slurry was spit out of the mine entrances and exits and flowed into the surrounding waterways such as Wolfs Creek and the Tug Fork River. The 306 million cubic gallons of poisonous coal slurry that spilled into the basin of Martin County was at the time the largest pollution spill in United States history.

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Kentucky - Water Insecurity Correction Coalition

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The majority of the drinking water in Kentucky comes from its rivers and streams. The largest river in Kentucky, the Ohio River serves as the primary water source for Louisville. Louisville is Kentucky's biggest city, and it has the highest demand for water.

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Georgetown is one of the most rapidly growing cities in the state of Kentucky. Because of this, demand for housing in Georgetown is at an all time high. Supply, however, is not equal to demand. Wait lists for construction are building up, and houses are being built fast enough.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - The demand for new homes continues to hit record highs nationwide.

One of the fastest growing counties in our state knows that firsthand. Scott County has a waiting list for new builds.

"We get a lot of phone calls. A lot of interest in this particular development here at the Pinnacle at Mallard Point," notes Brad Haddix, with Haddix Construction. He and his uncle Paul are currently building seven developments. Each one, taking years of work.

"Luckily, we started our development earlier, before they implemented the hold on sewer," says Paul Haddix.

Georgetown has dealt with sewer problems for years. Currently, any building connecting to wastewater plant #1 has to wait. Its 50-million-dollar expansion project won't be complete until December 2023.

"I think there may be a period prior to December of '23 when we are out of capacity. We just don't know yet," notes Mayor Tom Prather. "So we're gonna have to be careful about the way we plan our growth until that additional capacity is ready for us."

The city's wait list affects builds in both the older portion of Georgetown, and high growth areas.

"We're putting ourselves in a position to be able to make it to the finish line," says Mayor Prather. "As of right now, we're open for buisness, we're accepting requests, and we have construction going on."

An additional problem is the sewer service to Georgetown Mobile Estates, a trailer park sitting near the Fayette county line. They found raw sewage in a nearby creek that feeds into Georgetown's water system.

Earlier this year, city council members approved the sewer expansion project to help Georgetown Mobile Estates and several other parks in the area.
Copyright 2021 WKYT. All rights reserved.

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WKYT Investigates: Growing pains in Scott County

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The demand for new homes continues to hit record highs nationwide. One of the fastest growing counties in our state knows that firsthand. Scott County has a waiting list for new builds.

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Politicians use rhetoric in their speeches all the time. They'll use pathos to evoke strong emotions to gain support from the public, often sparking outrage. They use their achievements and experience to build their trustworthiness. They also use facts, logic and statistics to dismember their opponents argument in a debate.

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Travel agencies persuade consumers every year to go on vacation to an exotic place. They use beautiful imagery and appealing words that excite the viewer. They show people relaxing and smiling while enjoying exotic drinks to convince the viewer they want to go there. The same strategy is used by cruise companies.

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Car ads like to showoff their car's off-roading capabilities, even though most car owners will never use this feature. It tricks viewers into believing that buying that car will lead them to have a more adventurous lifestyle with no bounds. Freedom is a popular ideal in America, and there's nothing freer than driving off the path.

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Often times when I'm watching a Youtube video, the video will be sponsored by a company trying to sell their company. Companies use sponsorships to broaden their reach to different audiences. When my favorite Youtubers tell me to buy something, I am more inclined to buy it because I trust them more than a random spokesperson.

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Menus tend to be overzealous in their word choices. A restaurant's main goal is to sell you expensive food. As a result, the most expensive items on a menu are advertised the most. Whether it's an overexaggerated picture of the dish, or an over the top description, menus make sure to convince you to spend more money than you were planning on.

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Mattress companies use aurally appealing phrases to convince consumers to buy their mattresses. One such phrase is "Revolutionary sleep technology." This phrase can trick the consumer into thinking the mattress is better than it really is. Many sellers use phrases like "limited-time offers" and "special discounts" to create a sense of urgency for buying a mattress.

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Clothing companies use their brand to sell more of their clothes. Especially in kids and teenagers, clothes are used as a status symbol. Brands like Under Armour or Nike rely on little kids thinking that because they wear their brand, they are automatically cooler than kids that don't wear name brand clothes.

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Instagram reels have a strong tendency to appeal to pathos. One example is a small business owner trying to tug at heart strings across the internet. They'll tell a sad backstory or explain how clicking the like button and sharing just one time can help them in a big way. Even just having "Small Family Business" can convince consumers to buy their product.

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The type of phone you have can mean a lot to other people. Apple vs. Android has been a prominent debate throughout the world. Consumers are typically influenced by their peers to buy Iphones because it is seen as a high status symbol.

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The plastic water bottle has been around for ages. It can be bought anywhere and can be taken anywhere. Its convenience along with its reusability and recyclability draws people in to use it. Brands use their name to convince consumers to buy their bottle over others.

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Notice: There isn't a lot of entertainment for teenagers in Georgetown.
Problem: If I want to do something with friends, I usually have to go outside of Georgetown.
Question: Why hasn't there been any movement to provide teenagers with entertainment?
Stake: Saving gas money and having fun with friends. Teenagers having a voice.

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Notice: There aren't any quality Italian restaurants in Georgetown.
Problem: My family loves Italian food, but we have to go to Lexington or farther to eat it.
Question: Why have previous Italian restaurants been unsuccessful? How can locals support local businesses more?
Stake: Spending extra time and money on gas. Supporting local businesses.

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Notice: Freshman make up almost half of the Great Crossing School.
Problem: Many people quit band after freshman year, changing the dynamic of how the band functions.
Question: Why are students quitting band after one year? What can be done to prevent this?
Stake: Because there are so many freshman, the band can't play super complicated music, making the program worse.

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Notice: Homework is a tool that is often utilized by teachers throughout Scott County.
Problem: I find myself having to cancel plans or saying no to plans to complete these tedious tasks.
Question: How does homework benefit students? Would its removal cause more problems?
Stake: Homework can cause stress and hurt students' social lives.

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Notice: Most clubs at Great Crossing that I want to do are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Problem: I can't do all of the clubs I want to do.
Question: How can the school help schedule clubs better to fit students' schedules?
Stake: I'm missing out on opportunities because of scheduling issues within the school.

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Notice: Schools don't teach necessary information about living after high school.
Problem: High school graduates are thrusted into the real world unprepared.
Question: Why don't schools teach necessary knowledge such as paying taxes? How are graduates expected to learn this information?
Stake: Graduates feeling stressed and overwhelmed, unprepared for life after high school.

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Notice: Everywhere I go, there are always people on their phone.
Problem: People are addicted to their phones.
Question: Why are people always on their phones? How can we get people to put their phone down?
Stake: Since people are almost always on their phones, they use it as shield from social interaction. It can also affect mental health.

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Notice: A water bottle at the Gas Station near Great Crossing costs 89 cents.
Problem: For the same amount of water, a name brand water bottle such as Dasani or Aquafina can cost almost twice as much.
Question: Why are companies charging so much money for a basic necessity?
Stake: Low income parents have to worry about providing for their children, and expensive water isn't helping.

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Notice: The school Chromebooks' quality is questionable at best.
Problem: Sometimes when I try to do my school work, my Chromebook starts bugging out and I get frustrated and stop doing my work.
Question: Is forcing students who have their own laptops to use the school Chromebooks really beneficial?
Stake: I'm starting to fall behind in some of my classes.

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Notice: Speed limit is 45 mph on Lexus Way
Problem: Feels like it should be faster, almost no cars when I drive on it
Question: How is 45 going to be safer than 55 when there is almost no traffic on that road?
Stake: I could get pulled over for speeding because I don't realize that, even though 55 feels like the speed limit, 45 is actually the speed limit.