Ryan Announces Funding To Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Facility In St. Charles

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that a state revolving loan for $7,140,688 has been approved for the city of St. Charles, enabling the Kane County community to double its capacity to treat wastewater at its West Side Wastewater Treatment Facility.

The loan will be made under the state's Wastewater Revolving Loan Fund, administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Ryan's Illinois FIRST program guarantees full funding of the state's share of these loans for the next 5 years.

"Updated and expanded sewer systems are an important part of a communities' infrastructure," Ryan said. "Loans like this one allow communities throughout the state to make necessary upgrades to their water and sewage facilities."

The city intends to expand the West Side facility from a design flow of 350,000 gallons per day to 700,000 gallons per day to serve continuing development in the St. Charles west service area. A history of discharge violations at this facility led to a court order mandating corrective steps that will be provided by the planned construction. The construction will bring the facility into compliance with effluent discharge requirements.

The entire project will cost $7,154,888, which includes a local investment of $14,200.

Funding for the state's low interest wastewater and drinking water revolving loan funds comes through 80 percent federal money channeled though the IEPA and 20 percent state matching funds. Money repaid goes back into the program to fund additional loans.