Governor Quinn Announces $6.3 Million Drinking Water Project for Champaign County

MAHOMET - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $6.37 million investment to improve drinking water systems in the Mahomet area. Funded by a low-interest loan through Governor Quinn's Illinois Clean Water Initiative, this project will provide adequate water storage and help construct a new water treatment plant, while creating numerous jobs for the area. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to drive the economy forward and protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure.

"Help is on the way for Mahomet area residents to improve their water infrastructure and make sure that everyone has access to clean drinking water now and into the future," Governor Quinn said. "That's what our Clean Water Initiative is all about, helping make communities like Mahomet even better places to live and work."

The Sangamon Valley Public Water District provides service to the unincorporated area of Mahomet known as Lake of the Wood. The district will use the loan proceeds to rehabilitate two existing wells, construct a 250,000 gallon storage tank and a new water treatment plant with back-up generator. These improvements will allow peak water demand needs to be met, reduce iron levels in the treated water and allow for continuous operation of the wells and treatment plant during power outages. These projects will result in a safe and reliable source of drinking water for Sangamon Valley Public Water District customers.

The Governor's Clean Water Initiative offers subsidized loans, resulting in additional savings for the district over the life of the loans. The drinking water project is expected to last through the spring of 2015.

"Mahomet is a fast growing community, with fast growing water infrastructure needs," Kerry Gifford, Sangamon Valley Public Water District General Manager said. "The Illinois Clean Water Initiative is vital to helping us expand our water storage and treatment systems."

"Improving and upgrading these systems is essential for communities facing aging infrastructure that cannot continue to meet residents' needs," Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "The Illinois EPA is proud to partner with communities on these projects that are necessary for protecting residents and the environment."

Governor Quinn first launched the Illinois Clean Water Initiative in his 2012 State of the State Address to help local governments rebuild or repair clean water infrastructure, including aging wastewater and drinking water treatment systems and plants throughout the state. These projects ensure that facilities are being upgraded to protect our streams and rivers, our drinking water supplies and the environment as a whole. In July, Governor Quinn signed legislation that doubles Clean Water Initiative funding to $2 billion and expands the program to include stormwater management and treatment projects.

According to the U.S. EPA, it is estimated the water infrastructure needs in Illinois over the next 20 years will total $32 billion, including $17 billion in wastewater projects (which is the 6th highest among the states) and $15 billion in drinking water projects (4th highest need in the nation). To date, more than $850 million in wastewater and drinking water loans have been awarded under the Illinois Clean Water Initiative.

To learn more about Governor Quinn's Illinois Clean Water Initiative, visit CleanWater.Illinois.gov.