Press Release - Thursday, June 04, 2009
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Pecatonica, Rockford, Dixon and LaMoille awarded Illinois' first stimulus funds for environmental infrastructure projects
PECATONICA - On behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott today joined state and local officials from four 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 four communities, Pecatonica, Rockford, Dixon and LaMoille, 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.
Infrastructure Project Summaries
- Today's recipients include Pecatonica, which will be receiving $6.2 million toward its $7.66 million project to upgrade and expand the village's wastewater treatment plant. The plant was originally constructed in 1965 and has undergone only minor rehabilitation since that time. This project will assure adequate treatment for all current and future wastewater flows and resolve the ongoing compliance issues from inadequate treatment facilities. The village will specifically be receiving a 20-year loan at zero interest with 25 percent of the principal "forgiven" by state and federal and funding authorities.
- The City of Dixon is receiving $4,134,201, also a 20-year loan with zero percent financing and 25 percent loan forgiveness, covering virtually all of the cost of the construction of new water treatment facilities designed to bring the City into compliance with radium and arsenic Maximum Contaminant Level standards set by U.S. EPA. This project focuses on Wells 6 and 8 in the city's distribution system. New water treatment facilities will be constructed a both locations that will utilize a pressure filter system and hydrous manganese oxide processes to remove these naturally-occurring contaminants in the groundwater source and assure a safe and adequate water supply for the citizens of Dixon.
- The Village of LaMoille will receive $211,000 in a 20-year zero interest, 25 percent principal forgiveness financing package towards the $454,400 project to upgrade their public water system. It will include two new 150-gallons per minute iron pressure removal filters, two new high service pumps and a backwash storage tank to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. These improvements will assure an adequate supply of drinking water for the future and will dramatically improve the aesthetics of the water by eliminating iron content that stains fixtures and causes "red water" problems.
The Illinois EPA is also finalizing $6.9 million in funding for the ongoing major upgrade and rehabilitation of the Rockford public water supply, which includes achieving compliance with the radium standard. The geological impact on the groundwater in this part of the state has made an issue for some communities, including Rockford.
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