WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced that the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R. 6983), as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, includes $1.75 million in federal funding to replace Paducah, Kentucky’s Dewatering Building, which has exceeded its service life. This funding bill now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Congressman Comer led efforts in Congress to secure funding for the Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency Sludge Dewatering Project, which will upgrade the facility with modern, efficient equipment to reduce overall operational costs and benefit residents.
“I’m proud to support this important upgrade to Paducah’s Dewatering building, which will replace aging infrastructure. Investing in modern equipment is critical to maintaining reliable service and protecting the workers who operate these facilities every day. These improvements will ultimately benefit local ratepayers while ensuring Paducah’s wastewater system remains dependable for years to come,” said Congressman Comer.
“Our Board of Directors is very grateful to Congressman Comer and his staff for their efforts in securing this funding. JSA remains committed to improving the sanitary system, and we sincerely appreciate any financial support that helps us make critical upgrades while keeping rates as affordable as possible for our customers,” said John Hodges, Executive Director of Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency.
“We appreciate the support of Congressman Comer to include the Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency Sludge Dewatering project as a Community Project Funding request. This will provide additional funding that will help move this project faster and replace aging infrastructure. This project has been in our State and Federal legislative priorities. We are proud to have supported this for JSA and congratulate them on this announcement,” said Sandra Wilson, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
Background:
The project consists of the replacement of the Paducah WWTP Dewatering Building, which has exceeded its service life. New screw presses, disk thickener, conveyance system for loading sludge, as well as other related equipment are to be replaced. The new disk filter and screw press will require substantially less maintenance, reduce the overall sludge volume generated by the plant, and provide for a safer environment for JSA employees. Upgrading to more modern, efficient equipment will provide for a reduction in overall operational costs which will directly benefit JSA ratepayers.
“I’m proud to support this important upgrade to Paducah’s Dewatering building, which will replace aging infrastructure. Investing in modern equipment is critical to maintaining reliable service and protecting the workers who operate these facilities every day. These improvements will ultimately benefit local ratepayers while ensuring Paducah’s wastewater system remains dependable for years to come,” said Congressman Comer.
“Our Board of Directors is very grateful to Congressman Comer and his staff for their efforts in securing this funding. JSA remains committed to improving the sanitary system, and we sincerely appreciate any financial support that helps us make critical upgrades while keeping rates as affordable as possible for our customers,” said John Hodges, Executive Director of Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency.
“We appreciate the support of Congressman Comer to include the Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency Sludge Dewatering project as a Community Project Funding request. This will provide additional funding that will help move this project faster and replace aging infrastructure. This project has been in our State and Federal legislative priorities. We are proud to have supported this for JSA and congratulate them on this announcement,” said Sandra Wilson, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
Background:
The project consists of the replacement of the Paducah WWTP Dewatering Building, which has exceeded its service life. New screw presses, disk thickener, conveyance system for loading sludge, as well as other related equipment are to be replaced. The new disk filter and screw press will require substantially less maintenance, reduce the overall sludge volume generated by the plant, and provide for a safer environment for JSA employees. Upgrading to more modern, efficient equipment will provide for a reduction in overall operational costs which will directly benefit JSA ratepayers.