Illinois to Get About $257 M for Infrastructure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded almost $257 million to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment, according to a May 27 press release.
This new infusion of money is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program will receive $177,243,100. It provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, nonpoint source pollution control, and watershed management. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program will receive $79,538,000. It provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.