Gov. Blagojevich announces $600,000 Opportunity Returns loan for infrastructure work in Stockton

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved a $600,000 loan from the agency's Water Pollution Control Loan Program, which will enable the Jo Daviess County of Village of Stockton to make significant improvements to its sanitary sewer system.

 

The Village of Stockton will be using this major wastewater loan, along with other funding, to make significant improvements to the existing sanitary sewer system.  These improvements will finance a number of major improvements including sewer lining, joint grout sealing, lateral tap reaming and sealing, sewer point repairs and manhole point repairs.  These repairs will provide immediate environmental benefit by reducing the incidence of raw sewage flows to the waters of the state and will go a long way toward improving the quality of life for the citizens of Stockton.  

 

The Village of Stockton, located near the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Illinois Route 78 in eastern Jo Daviess County, has experienced ongoing problems with infiltration and inflow to the sanitary sewer system during moderate to heavy rain.  During these events, the age and condition of the collector sewer system leads to flooding on the system and results in periodic bypasses of raw sewage from the collection system to local surface waters, basement backups and process interruptions at the wastewater treatment facility. 

 

"Having the systems in place that help our streams and rivers remain clean is something every man, woman and child deserves, and we are going to do everything we can to make that happen.  By helping communities with these vital improvements to their sanitary treatment systems, we are making our communities even better places to live and work in," Gov. Blagojevich said.

 

"Updating the sewer system is a top priority for Stockton and this loan through Illinois EPA is the final key to moving forward on this project," said State Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon.

 

"Like many communities, Stockton has faced a critical need to upgrade its aging sewer system and prevent water pollution during storms and this partnership with the state is a major part of the solution," said St ate Rep. Sacia, R-Pecatonica.

 

The loan from the Illinois EPA is part of the agency's Revolving Loan Program that utilizes federal and state funding to provide loans for eligible drinking water and wastewater treatment projects at half the market interest rate.  Interest and principle paid on the 20-year loans is returned to the fund to support other low interest loans.  Local funds in the amount of $40,437 and a $350,000 Community Development Assistance Program grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity are also being utilized for the project, making the total project cost $990,437.

 

"It is through this state and federal partnership that we are able to address the infrastructure needs of our communities," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott.  "I appreciate the efforts of Illinois' congressional delegation and state legislators to adequately fund the State Revolving Fund, a program that is vital in helping communities with the construction and maintenance of efficient treatment systems"

 

Due to Illinois' critical need for safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment systems, Gov. Blagojevich continues to urge the federal government and the state legislature to fully support the State Revolving Fund, which is cooperatively funded with an 80 percent federal share.  Since the Clean Water Act was passed more than 30 years ago, the federal government's funding for clean water infrastructure has decreased by more than 50 percent, and in recent years, the inability of the state legislature to approve a capital plan in support of the SRF and other critical capital programs has threatened the state's ability to respond to our infrastructure needs.  We need to work together to assure that this year's federal and state budgets are adequate in providing our communities with the resources necessary to complete the infrastructure improvements required to protect the public health and promote economic development.