Groveland, Rutland, and Piper City awarded stimulus funds for environmental infrastructure projects

GROVELAND -  On behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott today joined state and local officials from three northern Illinois communities today to announce the award of grants and loans for waste water and drinking water projects, using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or stimulus funds, through the Illinois EPA's State Revolving Fund infrastructure program authorized earlier this year by the Congress and President Barack Obama. 

 

The three communities, Groveland, Rutland, and Piper City, are among the first communities in Illinois to receive ARRA awards, having completed all of the necessary requirements to meet the "shovel ready" definition required in the law. Under ARRA, the state allocates the available funding based on "readiness to proceed" since one of the primary goals of the federal stimulus legislation is to move projects forward as quickly as possible that will create badly-needed jobs as well as meet critical community infrastructure needs.

 

"I congratulate these communities for their hard work and dedication in completing these successful project plans," said Governor Quinn. "These projects will create good jobs, improve redevelopment and protect  the health and well-being of  our residents."  

 

The stimulus legislation, signed into law by President Obama, provides a substantial increase in the clean water and drinking water low-interest revolving loan programs administered by Illinois EPA. The programs provide financing in the form of grants and zero interest loans to communities for such projects as wastewater treatment plant upgrades and expansions, new sewer lines, drinking water treatment plant modifications and expansions, and new or replacement water distribution systems.

 

"Illinois has maximized the benefits of the federal resources being provided by President Obama," said Director Scott.  "We are now able to provide badly needed funding to communities large and small throughout the state."

 

The list of communities initially requesting funds included 746 projects totaling $3.24 billion for wastewater projects and 895 projects totaling $1.46 billion for drinking water projects.  Illinois EPA anticipates receiving $180 million for wastewater projects and $80 million for drinking water projects through ARRA. This demonstrates the significant need for infrastructure improvements in the state.

 

 

 

 

 

Today's recipients include Groveland, which will be receiving $214,546 in a 20-year loan at zero interest, with 25 percent of the principal provided under the loan "forgiven" by state and federal funding authorities. The water district will use the proceeds to rehabilitate a 100,000 gallon tank.  The interior and exterior of the tank will be blasted and then repainted using appropriate techniques due to the presence of lead in the primer of the existing exterior paint. The work will be coordinated so the district's 50,000-gallon tank will still be able to meet the water needs of the 2,400 residents in the district. 

 

The Village of Piper City will receive $149,097 to cover the entire cost of installing approximately 1,920 linear feet of six-inch diameter water main, service reconnections and hydrants, valves and miscellaneous appurtenances on the drinking water distribution system. This is also a 20-year loan with 25 percent principal forgiveness. The work focuses on the long overdue replacement of deteriorated mains and provides looping for dead end mains to improve water quality and reliability and reduce sedimentation and water loss and improve system pressures.

 

The Village of Rutland will receive $121,784, at the 20-year zero interest, 25 percent forgiveness terms, covering most of the cost of rehabilitating the village's 75,000-gallon elevated storage tank which has had no significant repairs since it was built in 1987. A recent inspection recommended full rehabilitation of the interior and exterior surfaces. Construction is expected to extend over a four-month period, with temporary storage and extended well pumping schedules utilized to assure continuous water service.