EPA awards $610 million for 62-mile Illinois water transmission system
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a $610 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to support construction of a regional water transmission system serving six communities in northeastern Illinois.
The project, led by the Grand Prairie Water Commission, will include development of a 62-mile water transmission network and associated infrastructure upgrades to transition nearly 300,000 residents from a declining groundwater aquifer to Lake Michigan as a primary drinking water source.
Member communities include the cities of Joliet and Crest Hill, along with the villages of Channahon, Minooka, Shorewood and Romeoville.
Officials said the project is designed to improve long-term water supply reliability while reducing dependence on stressed groundwater resources. Construction of the new system is expected to support growing demand and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality drinking water across the region.
The WIFIA loan provides flexible financing, including deferred repayment and favorable interest rates, which EPA estimates will save the commission nearly $300 million over the life of the loan.
EPA officials said the investment is part of broader efforts to accelerate water infrastructure upgrades nationwide through the WIFIA program.
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