Associated Press - October 2, 2009 4:14 AM ET

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands is funding a nearly $2.2 million water line project to help people in Knott and Perry counties whose wells have been contaminated by coal mining activity.

Construction is set to begin on Monday and is expected to be completed by April.

The project will pump treated water into about 74 homes in Red Oak, Rowdy Hollow, Sassafras and Vicco.

The state agency surveyed groundwater supplies in the communities and found that most had been degraded by coal mining.

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