Multiple Kentucky American Water sewer projects across Lexington are nearly complete after months of repairs, the city and utility said Friday.
Kentucky American began work last year to replace water mains below Fontaine Road, Euclid Avenue and North Limestone. In July, WEKU was the first to report the utility's contractors damaged private sewer lines during their work on the Fontaine project. No significant sewage leaks have been reported.
Last month, Lexington filed a complaint to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, alleging the construction work has been inadequate for residents, has disrupted commerce and traffic and crews have damaged public and personal property.
“We have tried to work with Kentucky American on difficult construction projects, we have met with them, and we have repeatedly let them know that their work practices in Lexington are lacking and unacceptable,” Mayor Linda Gorton, who is running for re-election, said at the time. “They don’t listen to us and they don’t listen to our residents. They have to listen to the Public Service Commission.”
Among the projects named in the city’s complaint are water main work on Fontaine Road and North Limestone, plus construction work on South Upper Street, Bell Court and Corral Street. The city requested the commission investigate Kentucky American’s construction policies, including an audit of its operations and management.
The utility denies the work has been mishandled. In a Sept. 8 response to the PSC, the utility says its construction practices are “neither unreasonable nor inadequate” and its projects across the city are either complete or close to wrapping up.
“KAW’s construction practices are neither unreasonable nor inadequate as evidenced by the fact that two of the projects listed in the Complaint are complete; two are nearing completion and will be finished in a matter of days; and KAW’s work on the final project is complete, as is LFUCG’s sewer work,” the response reads. “KAW is merely awaiting a final cost-sharing accounting from LFUCG for paving and restoration for that project.”
This week, contractors with Kentucky American Water will begin paving work in the Chevy Chase neighborhood, running Wednesday and through Friday. The city is allowing contractors to work at night in order to avoid disrupting traffic.
