The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $206 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Illinois drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the over $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda continues to transform communities for the better with this latest infusion of funds for critical water infrastructure projects,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come.”
“Too many communities struggle to keep up with the costs of maintaining the pipes and pumps and systems to treat drinking water, convey wastewater and manager stormwater, let along updating them,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Today’s announcement is yet another financial boost for our state and local partners working to protect human health and the environment as they manage our water resources and strive to improve quality of life.”
“Access to clean and safe water is not just a basic necessity, it is a fundamental human right,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “Yet far too many communities across Illinois have been grappling with the costs of updating aging infrastructure that jeopardizes the quality and reliability of their water systems. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re not only safeguarding public health but also laying the groundwork for a more resilient future.”
“I’m proud that this historic investment, which was made possible by my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across Illinois,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “I’m also pleased that because of my DWWIA law, portions of this funding will be available as grants and loan forgiveness to ensure these investments reach the most underserved communities. Every American—regardless of their race, income or zip code—deserves to know that the systems that carry and process the water they use every day are safe, clean and reliable.”
“Thanks to President Joe Biden’s historic Infrastructure Law, over $200 million will be distributed to Illinois to upgrade our water infrastructure. Nobody should have to worry about whether the water they drink is clean. Access to clean water is a basic human right,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “The investments in the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds will be crucial in helping to address years of exposure to contaminated water and will help improve the quality of our lakes and rivers. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that we protect our water quality for today and for our future generations.”
“No matter where you live, everyone should have access to clean, safe drinking water. Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to making this a reality for underserved communities across the great state of Illinois. This is just one more example of the important work the Biden Administration is able to do because of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Rep. Mike Quigley. “I would like to commend the EPA and the Biden Administration for always putting people first and prioritizing ways to ensure access to safe drinking water is a right, not a privilege.”
“Every community deserves sustainable water infrastructure that prioritizes public health and protects the environment,” said Rep. Bill Foster. “That’s why I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will provide over $205 million for communities across Illinois to upgrade their drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. These projects will ensure Illinois has the resources it needs to preserve our lakes, rivers, and streams, and provide clean water for decades to come.”
“In 2024, every family should have access to clean drinking water and safe water infrastructure,” said Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “As communities in my district continue to struggle with the impacts of dangerous and outdated water infrastructure, I’m glad to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in announcing more than $205.4 million in federal funding to improve Illinois water systems. I look forward to continuing my efforts with Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and our new EPA coordinator to ensure that resources like these reach underserved communities like Cahokia Heights to ensure safe water for every home and business in our state.”
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to deliver key investments for Illinois,” said Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. “Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by poor quality water. Ensuring clean water infrastructure and supply is a matter of racial and economic justice. This investment will help ensure a healthier future for all families in Illinois and across the country.”
“All Americans deserve access to clean and healthy drinking water, and these grants will make that possible for more Illinoisians up and down our state, particularly in underserved communities,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said. “Thanks to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to support, Illinois will be receiving more than $205 million in federal funding to protect our public health and our lakes, rivers, and waterways.”
“Our neighbors in Central and Northwestern Illinois should be able to turn on the faucet and trust the water that is coming out if it,” said Rep. Eric Sorensen. “This critical funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will keep working families and communities healthy by making sure the water they drink is safe and clean. I look forward to working with the administration and local partners to get these investments to the communities across our region that need it most.”
“Communities throughout Illinois routinely face the challenges of aging public water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “The federal allotment being provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is essential to continue the work Illinois EPA is doing through our robust State Revolving Fund programs and meeting the needs of our communities.”
Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken or lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major upgrades. Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change and others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.
The funding EPA announced for Illinois is part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), one of EPA’s signature water investment programs. This multi-billion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs to address key challenges, with $2.6 billion going to the Clean Water SRF for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $3.2 billion going to the Drinking Water SRF for drinking water infrastructure nationwide. Today’s announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental funds and Emerging Contaminant funds for SRF programs for fiscal year 2024. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions in additional resources in fiscal year 2024 for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this Spring.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Illinois
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $917 million into water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.
To view stories about how unprecedented investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA’s new Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Storymap. To read some more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects.
Background
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. SRF programs are critically important programs for investing in the nation’s water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant and sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country. Their impact is amplified by the growth inherent in a revolving loan structure – payment of principal and interest on loans made are available to address future needs.
For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.
***Courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency***
