Monmouth City Council has approved an ordinance to authorize the city in applying for an Illinois EPA loan for a recent mandate informs City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher:
“We have been mandated by the state to implement Ultraviolet disinfection process at the main wastewater treatment plant to purify the water before it is discharged into a receiving stream on the north side of town. Along with that, it is about a $3 million project. We are applying for a $3 million low-interest loan through the Illinois EPA. The interest rate on that would be .8%, so it is a very favorable interest. Plus, based on the social economic characteristics of the community, we anticipate that we will be eligible for a 30% forgiveness of that.”
After a comprehensive study was performed, it was determined the most cost-effective and reliable system would be the Ultraviolet system. As this is an unfunded mandate, the City must fund the capital project on its own and Council has approved the loan application for funding.
**Written by Director of Communications Kelsey Crain**
