Owensboro Municipal Utilities (OMU) is moving forward with its Hillcrest project, which officials say will improve water pressure for several neighborhoods, including the Heartlands. The project was initially expected to install pump stations in April 2025 but is ahead of schedule, with the new infrastructure now set to arrive in January.
The project includes demolishing the blue Hillcrest standpipe, a familiar sight located between the seventh green and fourth fairway at Hillcrest Golf Course. The standpipe, which has not been operational since 2017, will be dismantled in March 2025. That effort will be coordinated with the Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department to minimize disruption.
Sonya Dixon, OMU’s communications and public relations manager, commented on the advantages of adding the new pump houses.
“These pumps and this pumping system are going to increase water pressure in that area, which is a benefit to our customers,” Dixon said. “The golf course and neighborhoods are aware of this, and we’re working closely with them to ensure the timing of the removal causes minimal interruption.”
Two new pump stations will be installed as part of the project — one at Omico Plastics on Ragu Drive and the other near Hillcrest Golf Course on Old Hartford Road. These stations are designed to not only increase water pressure but also improve fire protection and water distribution in the area.
“The Heartlands neighborhood, in particular, has dealt with pressure issues,” said Brad Howton, OMU’s director of customer and shared services. “Adding these pump stations, which come with backup generators, will solve that problem and eliminate concerns about power outages affecting water supply.”
As the project progresses, OMU is also dealing with rising material costs, especially for piping and excavation, due to Department of Transportation requirements for laying pipes under roads. Despite these budget challenges, Dixon said the project remains on track to provide substantial benefits to the local community.
In addition to the Hillcrest project, OMU is evaluating options for Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which would modernize how the utility reads water and electric meters. Christopher Poynter, OMU’s Director of Telecommunications, said the utility is conducting a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of AMI, with results expected by the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.
“Everybody’s asking the same question: Is this economically feasible?” Dixon said. “While some of our larger industrial meters are automated, most residential meters are still manually read. We’re looking at whether the cost of implementing AMI will provide enough long-term benefits to justify the investment.”
Dixon added that OMU’s intent with the ongoing efforts is to improve services and infrastructure for its customers.
