MADISONVILLE-An ongoing project that Madisonville has been working on since 2008 finally has a light at the end of the tunnel. If all goes according to plan, the town's new sewer plant will open in 2014.

The need for a new plant came about after the state told Madisonville it's current plant, dating from the 1960's, was no longer viable. But that was a moot point as the state also said tests showed Bat Creek, where treated wastewater was dumped, was too polluted to use anymore.

The project hasn't been without controversy, and rumors have spread that the budget for the project has grown out of control and water/sewer rates will skyrocket to pay for it.

Alderman Glenn Moser said the only water/sewer rates will increase would be if TASS, who supplies Madisonville with water, raised its rates.

"We've increased the rates already to cover the costs of the new sewer project," Moser said. "We've received $4,684,000 in grants to help with the cost and we are determined to stay within our budget."

See full story in the Sunday, Oct. 21, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.