On Wednesday, January 17th, the City of Bardstown Emergency Water Shortage was issued.
According to a statement, “In the early hours of January 17, 2024, the Bardstown Water Treatment Plant had a weather-related equipment failure”. The failure caused a reduction in the plant’s ability to treat water for delivery to its consumers. Thus, the City has asked that “all non-essential uses of water be curtailed and all users conserve water to the best of their ability.”
Those consumers include Bardstown residents and corporate citizens such as the distilleries located on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in and around Bardstown. According to the city, the emergency has not impacted the safety of the water for drinking.
A reduction in the ability to use and consume water would, obviously, impact the production at the Kentucky Bourbon distilleries serviced by the Bardstown Water Treatment Plant. Water is a critical component in whiskey-making; from cooking and mashing grain, cleaning equipment, to proofing spirits for bottling. Among those distilleries which may be impacted include Barton 1792, Heaven Hill, Lux Row Distillers, and Bardstown Bourbon Company.
Concerned citizens took to the City of Bardstown’s Facebook page to voice concerns over asking citizens to reduce water usage but not forcing distilleries to shut down. Citizens are concerned that the order comes during a time when residents are experiencing sub-freezing temperatures and the risk of freezing pipes in their homes. The City of Bardstown has since responded:
Comment on Bardstown Emergency Water Shortage
We’re lucky in Bardstown to have industries and businesses that are team players! The distilleries and high volume industrial customers as well as commercial car washes have been cooperating and doing what they can to help. The car washes have shut down completely per the ordinance. The industries reduced production through the day yesterday and most called off production for last night’s 3rd shift. They are limiting production and eliminating not essential use through today. Their cooperation is allowing the City to maintain safe drinking water in our community for essential services.
Statement from City of Bardstown Facebook page
According to the public notice, the plant’s staff is working diligently to remediate the situation and the situation continues as of Thursday afternoon. Check the City of Bardstown’s official Facebook page for ongoing and more current updates.
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