Environment

Madisonville residents may soon taste the benefits of a new city waste water treatment system. An ultraviolet disinfection system is one of the newest projects proposed for Madisonville’s upcoming budget. City officials say the bacteria levels in treated water have gone above state standards in the past. The Madisonville Messenger reports the existing waste water treatment plant was built in 1995. The city pays $90,000 a year for its upkeep. City officials have scheduled more hearings today on the issue.

Contractors for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will restrict travel on the US 60 Tennessee River Bridge at Ledbetter to a single lane this morning. Drivers can expect one-lane traffic with alternating traffic flow from 9 a.m. to about 6 this evening. Travel delays should be minimal. The restriction will allow contractors to deliver concrete as part of ongoing work on one of the bridge piers.

The Kentucky state capitol will turn off unnecessary lights tomorrow night as part of International Earth Hour. This is the fourth consecutive year the capitol has participated in the event sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation. Officials say this is part a comprehensive plan to reduce energy consumption in state buildings by 15% in the next three years and 25% by 2025.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer issued a warning today that weather conditions are ripe for an outbreak of West Nile Virus. And he says horse owners should consult their veterinarians about vaccinating their horses against the disease. West Nile is spread by mosquitoes, and mosquitoes thrive in the warm, wet conditions the state has experienced in the last few weeks. Officials say no horse in Kentucky that has undergone a full West Nile vaccination regimen is known to have contracted the virus since 2003.