NEWPORT — The water won't be different and the price won't be different.

        The only way Newport water customers will realize that they are being serviced by the Northern Kentucky Water District instead of Newport Water Works this summer is the name on the quarterly bill.

        The water district purchased the city's water system for $17.1 million, a move officially approved by Newport City Commission a week ago at a commission meeting.

        Now the water district begins the task of actually absorbing the Newport system and assuming the responsibility for supplying water to the homes and businesses in Newport and parts of Southgate previously serviced by the Newport Water Works.

        “I think Newport customers will experience the same level of service from us as they did from the Newport system,” Water District executive director Ron Lovan said. “Maybe even a higher level of service, we hope.”

        Mr. Lovan said no one currently getting their water from the Newport system should experience any differences. “The billing will be the same as with Newport, with the same frequency,” he said.

        Newport City Manager Phil Ciafardini said he also anticipated a seamless transition to the water district.

        “I haven't gotten any calls about concerns regarding the sale of the water works and the move to the water district,” Mr. Ciafardini said. “No one I've talked to lately has had any problems with the water sale.”

        He said the city will work with the district “to make certain there are no issues, and if there are we will deal with them immediately. We've set up the phone lines so people can call the old Newport number and get the water district.”

        The water district is offering employment to any of the Newport water works employees who are interested. Mr. Ciafardini said some of the water works people have indicated interest in other positions with the city.

        The sale of the water works was definitely a big issue in 1999, when state law dictated it be placed on the November ballot where it was turned down by Newport voters.

        The 2000 Kentucky General Assembly changed that law and made it possible for the city government to seek bids for the sale without voter approval.

        The sale of the water works, one of the few remaining city-owned and -operated water systems in Kentucky, will mean about $8 million in the bank for Newport after outstanding water works debts have been cleared.

        City commissioners want to put some of the money aside as a contingency fund. The other portion of the water works money is to be used to provide funding assistance to residents seeking to purchase or renovate homes.

Trauma center plans in limbo
Study links teacher quality and student progress
County assured its share of U.S. security funding
Runaway cow spotted again in park
Chabot foe drops out of election
Council plans public hearing on panhandling proposal
Higher mental health levy to be on May ballot
Irish-Catholic mom recalls Belfast terror
Juror's arrest ordered after she drops out of deliberation
Luken says come on down
Man to take family back to Mexico
Prince won't be here for concert
Robberies strike bank, credit union in area
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: The Tewksburys
RADEL: Kathman recovers
Butler Co. Transit to end one route, change another
Class gets peek inside Olympics
Drivin' and gabbin' still allowed in Germantown
Event exposes women to math careers
Hispanics adding to local mix
Job, pay cuts urged for Lebanon
Lebanon asked to ditch meters
Teacher resigns over porn surfing
Alton Coleman on deck?
Attorney's license could be suspended
Covington board OKs new pub
Ky. Senate OKs abortion bills
NKU can build training center
Scrap-wood fire spreads, damages pallet company
Senate panel approves anti-telemarketing bill
Water works change likely to flow easily