FORT CAMPBELL, KY – In an advocacy effort that crosses the Kentucky/Tennessee state line, Christian County leaders collaborated with other prominent officials to welcome recent congressional action that will evaluate and improve aging utility infrastructure at Fort Campbell.
For more than 35 years, Citizens for Fort Campbell has advocated on behalf of the installation and local soldiers and families. This group is made up of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, Southwestern Kentucky Military Affairs and U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., U.S. Reps. James Comer, R-Ky., and Andy Barr, R-Ky.
Their efforts introduced an amendment to the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act directing the Department of Defense to assess the condition of utility systems at older military installations, including Fort Campbell.
The evaluation would examine infrastructure condition, replacement costs, operational impacts, and effects on servicemembers, military families, and installation readiness, according to a news release from the Citizens for Fort Campbell.
History of water infrastructure challenges at Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell’s water and wastewater systems are among the installation’s most pressing infrastructure challenges. Much of the system dates back more than 80 years, with major components constructed in the 1940s. Community and installation leaders have identified approximately $367 million in needed investments to upgrade the water treatment plant, wastewater treatment facilities, and water and sewer distribution systems.
According to installation briefings, aging infrastructure has contributed to recurring water outages and reduced system resilience. The Citizens for Fort Campbell say that this year alone, dozens of major water main breaks have affected hundreds of facilities across the installation, creating operational disruptions and highlighting the need for long-term modernization.
Critical projects include replacement of the aging water distribution system, rehabilitation of the wastewater collection network, construction of a new water treatment plant capable of meeting future environmental standards, and replacement of wastewater treatment infrastructure that has exceeded its useful life.
The Citizens for Fort Campbell delegation plans to continue advocating for policies and investments that support the installation’s mission readiness and long-term sustainability.
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