Blog
SALES TAX LAW CHANGE
In the 2022 legislative session, Kentucky lawmakers enacted a change to sales tax laws. Beginning January 1, 2023, only a person’s “domicile” (primary residence) will be exempt from sales tax on utility services, including water and sewer bills. Kentucky will begin imposing a sales tax on other properties as of January 1, 2023.
If you are an existing customer with only ONE residential service address, your service address will be considered your “domicile” and will be exempt from sales tax. You are not required to file a form or contact our office.
The following person(s) must file Form 51A380 Declaration of Domicile
- Existing customers with two or more service addresses must declare which service location is their “domicile” address.
- New customers who establish service after January 1, 2023.
- Landlords who operate a single-family rental unit must submit a declaration signed by the tenant.
Available here is Form 51A380 Declaration of Domicile issued by the Department of Revenue for utility customers to declare whether the address listed on their bill is their primary residence.
The completed declaration form can be delivered to our office address at 523 US Highway 31W By-pass, Bowling Green, KY 42102; or mailed to P.O. Box 10180, Bowling Green, KY 42102; or emailed to info@warrenwater.com.
Information on the sales tax law change can be found on the Department of Revenue website here.
WARREN WATER ASKS COMMUNITY TO IMAGINE A DAY WITHOUT WATER
In recognition of Imagine a Day Without Water on October 20, Warren Water is joining the Value of Water Coalition and asking our community to consider the impact of living without quality tap water, our most precious resource.
As the community considers the impact of living without water, Warren Water invite ages 5-18 to participate in the second annual art contest. The contest will be divided into four age divisions and within each age division visa gift cards will be given to first, second and third place winners. Winning pieces will be featured in our lobby and posted on social media. The deadline is November 4 for entry submission. All details can be found at www.warrenwater.com.
The Value of Water Coalition is dedicated to educating and inspiring the nation on how water is essential and invaluable and therefore, needs investment. The Kentucky Water Resources Board was created during the 2016 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The board was formed to provide state regulators with recommendations on water use efficiency, as well as develop a water conservation strategy for the state’s agricultural sector.
Kentucky Rural Water Association Executive Director Scott Young shared, “It is critical and more evident with the pandemic that our water resources continue to be a focus across the state. Kentucky Rural Water Association partners with water and wastewater utilities across the state to help them protect and manage this valuable resource. We continue to make great strides.”
“Warren Water is honored to join the Value of Water Coalition and Kentucky’s Water Resources Board and hundreds of other organizations around the country who are participating in the eighth annual Imagine a Day Without Water,” stated Jacob Cuarta, WCWD general manager. “We look forward to engaging our youth with the art contest and bringing awareness to the importance of water. This is a great way to continue the conversation about our most precious resource. A day without water would be a public health and safety crisis. The fight against any virus would seem impossible.”
About Warren County Water District
Warren Water is a public water and wastewater utility serving more than 32,000 water and 9,000 wastewater customers throughout Warren County while providing operation and management services to Butler County Water System and Simpson County Water District. There are over 1,200 miles of water mains in the Warren Water service area, which spans 530 square miles. The Warren Water sewer system includes over 190 miles of sewer lines. For more information, visit www.warrenwater.com
WARREN, SIMPSON, AND BUTLER WATER HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE
Warren County Water District, Simpson County Water District, and Butler County Water System received top honor at the seventh annual Excellence in Resourcefulness Awards in Marco Island, Florida last month presented by Frost & Sullivan. The award recognizes utilities and municipalities using innovative products and services to minimize electric, gas, and water waste.
Serving a combined 40,800 residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers throughout 2,110 miles of distribution main – Warren, Simpson and Butler Water were recognized for their collaboration to reduce water loss water and improve connectivity throughout their service areas.
“Our team was proud to accept this award. The team began the implementation of modernizing water meter reads in all three water districts four years ago with Itron,” stated Jacob Cuarta, General Manger. “Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and leak detection technology enabled employees to read meters remotely, safely, and accurately via wireless signals. Advanced acoustical leak sensors were strategically placed to assist in identifying leaks in main lines and services before potential major interruptions.”
Since October 2018, the leak sensors have saved the water districts over 76 million gallons of water and over 20.6 million gallons for customers. The deployment of both AMR and AMI systems will continue to reduce meter reading costs, increase billing accuracy, enhance customer service and reduce water loss for Warren, Simpson and Butler Water.
“Warren, Simpson and Butler Water installed a combined 13,600 Itron acoustic leak sensors that are seamlessly integrated with the AMR and AMI system,” Cuarta added. “Since the commencement of this project, we have detected 371 leaks (equivalent to 76 million gallons of water) and have been able to notify 916 customers about leakage problems at the customer end. Savings from non-revenue water can be used for financing further infrastructure development that will serve the community as a whole.”
As part of the selection process, Frost & Sullivan conducted in-depth research and interviews and evaluated utilities against industry best practices and the decision criteria, including societal impact and business impact for each category. Indicators for societal impact included improving customer awareness and participation, enabling behavioral change to reduce waste through customer engagement and technology-driven programs, and yielding impressive waste reduction results that benefit the overall served community. Indicators for business impact included drafting a clear vision to address excessive waste through technology implementation, achieving operational effectiveness as a result of a successful strategy for sustainability, and strengthening a utility’s brand image as a leader for sustainability.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community.
About Itron
Itron enables utilities and cities to safely, securely, and reliably deliver critical infrastructure services to communities in more than 100 countries. Our portfolio of smart networks, software, services, meters and sensors helps our customers better manage electricity, gas and water resources for the people they serve. By working with our customers to ensure their success, we help improve the quality of life, ensure the safety and promote the well-being of millions of people around the globe. Itron is dedicated to creating a more resourceful world.
About Warren, Simpson and Butler Water
Warren, Simpson and Butler Water are public water utilities serving more than a combined 40,800 customers and transporting over 10 million gallons a day throughout the three county region. There are over 2,110 miles of water mains in the service areas, which span over a total of 1,300 square miles.
REINFORCING HEALTHY HABITS
The Wash Your Hands campaign, launches in-conjunction with Global Handwashing Day on October 15, to reinforce healthy habits within the community. The annual campaign is sponsored by Warren County Water District, Simpson County Water District, Butler County Water System and the Barren River District Health Department. This community wide Wash Your Hands campaign brings attention to proper handwashing in an effort to keep our community healthy.
“The Barren River District Health Department works to help our communities stay at their optimal health and we are always eager to form partnerships with other organizations that are interested in promoting healthy lifestyles – that’s why this alliance with Warren, Simpson and Butler Water has proven to be successful in the past. Our outreach is stronger when we band together and is even more important during a pandemic,” stated Ashley Lillard, Barren River District Health Department Director for Population Health.
The wash your hands campaign provides free mirror clings for schools, daycares, businesses and other organizations to use in their facilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing is the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others.
General Manager Jacob Cuarta is pleased to launch this campaign once again with BRDHD. “The fight against any virus impacts our community and by reinforcing our messaging to properly wash hands for at least 20 seconds will lessen the spread. Frequent and proper hand hygiene is one of the most important things we can all do to prevent infection. Good health is in your hands.”
To receive free mirror clings/posters for your school/daycare, business or organization stop by the offices of Warren County Water District, Simpson County Water District, Butler County Water System or the Barren River District Health Department.
For Wash Your Hands campaign details visit www.warrenwater.com, www.simpsonwater.com, www.butlerwater.com or www.barrenriverhealth.org
About Warren, Simpson and Butler Water
Warren, Simpson and Butler Water are public water utilities serving more than a combined 38,000 customers and transporting over 10 million gallons a day throughout the three county region. There are over 2,000 miles of water mains in the service areas, which span over a total of 1,300 square miles.
2022 Warren Water Art Contest – What water means to me
Warren County Water District is excited to launch the second annual art contest for Warren Water open to all ages 5-18. We will have 4 age divisions and within each age division visa card awards will be given to first, second and third place. Winning pieces will be featured on social media and on display within our lobby.
The attached outline provides all the specifics regarding the contest along with the application. All entries are due by Friday, November 4. We look forward to an overwhelming response as we work together to bring awareness and protect our most precious resource – WATER.
All questions can be submitted to Jill Harmon at jillh@warrenwater.com. Thank you in advance.
Value Water. Value Our Future.
For more information, please visit the Art Contest page.
FISHING FOR A CAUSE
Warren, Simpson and Butler Water to host second annual Fishing for a Cause on Saturday, September 24 to support United Way of Southern Kentucky’s Feed the Need campaign. The tournament will be held at Port Oliver Boat Ramp from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mark your calendar and make plans to participate.
Early registration begins the week of the tournament or participants can register on September 24th beginning at 4:30 a.m. for further details and questions contact Matt Stinson at 270-618-1832.
Join us as we LIVE UNITED.