SALYERSVILLE – The city’s water system is, yet, again, in a critical state, with the mayor declaring a state of emergency on Wednesday and the county judge/executive actively looking into whether the county’s water district should take over the system.
While this may seem like déjà vu for some, having gone through a similar situation over a decade ago, the Salyersville Water Works system appears to be in a critical state, and since it provides water to the Magoffin County Water District, officials are saying Magoffin could be out of water at any moment.
In a special called Magoffin County Fiscal Court meeting, held on June 26, Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matthew Wireman read the following statement:
I want to speak candidly with the citizens of Magoffin County regarding on-going concerns surrounding the operations of the Salyersville Water Works (SWW).
To clarify, the Salyersville Water Works and the Magoffin County Water District (MCWD) are two separate entities. SWW is a municipal agency operated by the City of Salyersville, while the MCWD operates under the oversight of the Kentucky Public Service Commission. The MCWD’s board is appointed by the Magoffin County Fiscal Court, and its daily operations are carried out by professional staff and a superintendent—not elected officials. The MCWD currently purchases water from SWW for distribution throughout the county. All sewer infrastructure and service remain under the sole management of SWW.
Throughout my administration, the fiscal court and I have worked hard to expand water service in Magoffin County. But ongoing infrastructure concerns have made it clear that future extensions may not be feasible if our supply system can’t keep pace. While I understand that the SWW plant is currently producing clean water, I share widespread concern about its capacity to sustain reliable service into the future.
Among the most pressing issues are aging infrastructure, excessive water loss, unresolved grinder pump failures, and inconsistent billing practices. In addition to those challenges, both the water and sewer plants are currently operating at minimal staffing levels, and there is a lack of adequately licensed personnel to ensure long-term stability and compliance. These operational vulnerabilities raise serious concerns about the system’s ability to meet regulatory standards and serve our growing population.
To protect our long-term water security, SWW, MCWD, Representative John Blanton, and I are working together—as partners—to identify responsible solutions. The MCWD and I are also engaging with neighboring counties to strengthen backup sources. We currently have access to emergency water from West Liberty and Prestonsburg, and we’re in ongoing discussions with Paintsville. We also previously submitted a grant application for a project located in Johnson County to upgrade to an 8-inch water line along U.S. 460 that would connect directly to Magoffin County’s existing 8-inch line. Though we were not awarded funding, we plan to reapply and continue seeking support for this important project.
At this time, I believe it is appropriate to begin a thoughtful, public conversation about the future of our water and sewer systems—including the possibility of transitioning responsibilities to the Magoffin County Water District and dissolving SWW if it proves to be the best path forward.
This is not about placing blame. It’s about working together to ensure our residents have stable, modern services—and a system that can grow with us.
Respectfully,
Matt Wireman
Magoffin County Judge/Executive
Salyersville Mayor Stanley Howard issued a declaration of a local state of emergency on Wednesday, June 2, citing that Salyersville Water Works, which has been overseen by him, has dropped below operating capabilities due to a lack of employees. He noted in the state of emergency SWW has only three operators, with two giving a two-week notice of quitting.
Included with the state of emergency, Mayor Howard included the following list of issues that need immediate attention:
1. Certified Personnel: The SWW currently has three certified water distribution operators on staff. However, two of these operators have recently given two weeks’ notice of quitting. This loss will significantly impact our operational capabilities. Our facility operates continuously, 24 hours a day, to meet the community demand.
2. Interconnection: The existing 8” water interconnection with Paintsville Utilities, which is vital for emergency water supply to the MCWD, is non-operational. Immediate repairs and flushing of this interconnection are necessary to restore its functionality.
3. Flocculator: One flocculator is currently non-operational located at the sewer plant, and two are in major need of repair, which are located at the water plant. This directly impacts our ability to treat water effectively.
4. Clarifier: A clarifier at the water plant is nonfunctional, further complicating our water treatment processes.
5. Raw Water Leak: A significant leak has been identified at the SWW plant which comes from the Licking River intake, this also poses a risk to our water supply.
6. Sewage Grinder Pumps: Approximately 125 residential grinder pumps are inoperative, resulting in raw sewage leaking into residential yards and local streams, creating severe public health and environmental hazards.
7. Sludge Press: The sludge press at the sewer plant is out of service and requires urgent repairs.
8. Aerators: Two aerator blowers are in need of repair, which affects the aeration process critical for wastewater treatment.
9. Sewer Plant Valves: Two valves critical to our operations are stuck and will not turn, further limiting our ability to manage water flow.
10. Sewer Lift Stations: A lift station located at North Magoffin Grade School has significantly deteriorated and needs immediate repair.
11. Financial Constraints: Financial Concerns: The Salyersville Water Works is currently facing severe financial challenges and does not have the resources required to tackle these pressing issues. In addition to the deteriorating infrastructure, SWW is significantly indebted to several vendors, including Services Specialties, AEP, Mineral Labs and Wascon. As a result, these vendors have imposed restrictions on SWW regarding what purchases can be made.
He ended the declaration “formally requesting assistance from state agencies to address these problems. The health and safety of our residents depend on prompt action and support to continue our water and sewer services.”
While the declaration requests prompt action from state agencies, it appears the problems with SWW have been evident for more than just a couple of weeks, however.
In addition to the statement made by Judge/Executive Wireman and the state auditor’s report released in January this year citing many financial discrepancies and misuse findings, the state of emergency declaration seems to come at the heels of a recent inspection performed by the Division of Water on May 28.
An anonymous source shared with Mortimer Media Group information from an ongoing report by the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW), with an official report pending and to include at least the following regarding the status of the Salyersville Wastewater Treatment System as of the last DOW inspection, held on May 28, 2025:
– Reports that the current certified Class II Treatment operator may no longer be operating the plant as of the week prior to the inspection, with the previous operator unaware if the city had retained a new operator. Mayor Stanley Howard did not respond to the DOW’s inquiries or phone calls and was unavailable to meet on May 28.
– The previous operator indicated that NO PART OF THE PLANT IS OPERATIONAL.
– Several operation issues with the plant include: hydrogen sulfide gas within the plant and need for the gas meter to be operational and calibrated, gray water being released into the Licking River, solids in the disinfection basin, non-functioning aerators, bar screens and augers problems with the clarifiers, both oxidation ditches contained discolored water, and concern that the samplers may not be functioning properly and need to be calibrated.
– The DOW has requested a written plan to address the treatment facility.
For the system that collects wastewater to convey it to the treatment plant:
– Hazard Regional Office has received complaints about failing residential grinder pumps that cause sewage to flow into customer’s yards and surrounding areas.
– There are concerns about hydrogen sulfide gas within the collection system, but the facility’s gas meter may not be operational and needs to be calibrated, at a minimum.
– The DOW has requested a written plan for the repair of residential grinder pumps.
SWW was established in 1952 as a water provider for the City of Salyersville, formerly ran by a board, but has operated as a department of the City since October 2023. After struggling for months to keep anyone on the Salyersville Water Works board, with three board members resigning in 2023, in October Salyersville Mayor Stanley Howard broke a tie vote with the city council to dissolve the board and take on Salyersville Water Works as a city department under the mayor’s oversight. By December that year, the council was unable to pay the entirety of the SWW bills due, agreeing to pay what they could to keep it operational. SWW provides water to the Magoffin County Water District, so issues at SWW affects water customers of both entities.
This is an ongoing issue and the SI will continue to report any available updates.
