Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works’ (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $5,228,000 in federal loans and grants to help rural communities modernize drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The funding was awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program to five Illinois communities.
“Investing in rural communities to help upgrade their water infrastructure systems is critical to upholding every American’s right to clean water—no matter their zip code, the color of their skin or the size of their income,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to announce this funding for water infrastructure alongside Senator Durbin, and I will continue to advocate for much needed investments in our water systems to improve American lives all across Illinois and our nation.”
“This funding will provide our rural communities with much-needed resources to improve their water infrastructure and help keep children and families safe from health hazards,” Durbin said. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to ensure that every corner of Illinois has access to these federal investments to modernize infrastructure and improve quality of life.”
In April, the Senate passed Duckworth’s bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act by a vote of 89-2, which would invest more than $35 billion in upgrading aging water infrastructure, addressing the threat of climate change on our water systems, investing in new technologies and providing assistance to marginalized communities. Duckworth’s bill is fully authorized in the bipartisan infrastructure deal that passed the Senate in August.
Under today’s announcement, the following Illinois communities will receive loans and grants through USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program:
- The Village of Brownstown is expected to receive a $60,000 loan water main replacement project to bring the water system back up to Illinois EPA minimum standards and eliminate health concerns by replacing two-inch service line, installing and replacing 21,500 linear feet of water main and installing radio read meters, among other updates.
- McClure-East Cape Girardeau Public Water District is expected to receive a $154,000 loan to rehabilitate a water tower with emergency riser pipe replacement, water meter replacement, water main replacement and office site improvements to help ensure the surrounding area has safe water.
- Raleigh Water District is expected to receive a $170,000 grant to make water system improvements including tank painting, acquiring a tank mixer, installing fencing and monitoring chlorine levels.
- Fayette Water Company in Brownstown is expected to receive a $282,000 loan to address immediate health and sanitary concerns by installing nearly 13 miles of four inch water mains that will be connected to the water main located in the area.
- EJ Water Cooperative, Inc. in Dietrich is expected to receive a $940,000 loan to install and connect 26 miles of water main to current lines to help enhance and reinforce water flows. The project will alleviate a health and safety hazard caused by the currently used contaminated wells.
- The Village of Bethany is expected to receive a $2,900,000 loan and a $722,000 grant, totaling $3,622,000, to rehabilitate the area’s water system by renovating an elevated water tower and hydrants in historically leaking locations, replacing water main, improving the water treatment plant, among other updates.
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