(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — U.S. Rep. James Comer announced Tuesday that he has secured $1 million in federal funding to rebuild Eddyville’s wastewater treatment plant, which suffered a catastrophic failure nearly a year ago.
The funding was included in the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026, which passed the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The Kentucky Republican led efforts in Congress to secure the funding after the city’s sewer treatment plant experienced a critical failure of its Sequential Batch Reactor Tank on January 6, 2025. The breakdown left Eddyville without the ability to treat municipal wastewater, forcing local officials to implement temporary emergency measures that have proven costly and unsustainable.
“I’m proud to have worked alongside local leaders in Eddyville to address the catastrophic failure at the Eddyville Sewer Treatment Plant earlier this year,” Comer said in a statement. “When the city suddenly lost its ability to treat municipal wastewater, local officials were forced to rely on costly, temporary emergency measures that were never meant to be a long-term solution.”
The plant failure occurred during severe winter weather, prompting both city and county officials to issue emergency declarations alongside a statewide declaration. Since then, the city has struggled with the financial burden of Phase I emergency operations, including rental costs for temporary treatment units, labor-intensive maintenance, and heightened regulatory oversight.
Lyon County Judge Executive Jamie Smith expressed gratitude for the congressional support. “Following the catastrophic failure of the plant this past year and the significant financial strain associated with its replacement, this funding will make a meaningful difference for our community and our residents,” Smith said.
The $1 million will fund Phase II of the project, which involves planning, designing, and constructing a new permanent facility. The comprehensive improvements are intended to restore wastewater treatment operations, ensure environmental compliance, protect public health, and support future growth in Eddyville and the surrounding region.
Comer, who represents Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, said he would continue working to help communities across his district rebuild critical infrastructure and protect public health.
