Duckworth, Durbin Announce Water Grants

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin have announced that an infusion of support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program will be awarded to Illinois communities and organizations to help rural communities across the state modernize and protect their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

Under the announcement, these area communities and organizations will receive loans and grants through the USDA:

--EJ Water Cooperative, Inc. is expected to receive a $960,000 grant and a $3,537,000 loan to construct a reservoir that will provide 28,306 residents in south central Illinois with updated water infrastructure.

--Gateway Regional Water Company in Marion County is expected to receive a $1,135,000 grant and a $1,028,000 loan to address water supply needs for Farina Farms, the city of Kinmundy and the Gateway Transmission System. This will 1,314 Illinoisans.

--Clay County Water, Inc. is expected to receive a $694,600 loan to improve the quantity and quality of the existing water available for 100 Illinoisans by constructing 5.4 miles of four inch and six inch water line and installing a new master meter.

In April, the Senate passed Duckworth’s bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act by a vote of 89-2, which would upgrade aging water infrastructure, address climate change on water systems, invest in new technologies and provide assistance to marginalized communities. Last month, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal into law that included Duckworth’s water provisions. The USDA’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean, reliable drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for homes and businesses in eligible rural and working communities.