Governor Quinn Announces $4.6 Million Investment in Drinking Water Project for Village of Shorewood

SHOREWOOD - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $4.6 million investment to improve drinking water systems in the Village of Shorewood. Funded by a low-interest loan through Governor Quinn's Illinois Clean Water Initiative, this project will provide for adequate water storage and necessary updates at the water treatment plant site, while bringing 40 construction jobs to the community. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to drive Illinois' economy forward and protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure.

"This project will help Shorewood to improve their drinking water system, and create jobs for local hardworking men and women," Governor Quinn said. "That's what our Clean Water Initiative is all about, helping make communities like Shorewood even better places to live and work."

The Village of Shorewood will use the loan to construct a 1.5 million gallon elevated water storage tank at the water treatment plant site. The Governor's Clean Water Initiative offers subsidized loans, resulting in additional community savings over the life of the loans. The project is expected to last through the winter of 2015.

"Improving and upgrading these systems is essential for communities facing aging infrastructure that cannot continue to meet residents' needs," Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "The Illinois EPA is proud to partner with communities on these projects that are necessary for protecting residents and the environment."

"This is a great financial opportunity that the state provides to municipalities," Village Administrator Roger Barrowman said. "The low-interest loan provided by the Illinois Clean Water Initiative will enable the Village of Shorewood to construct a much needed water tower for our community."

"Improving our community's water system by making it more sustainable for our growing population will promote the well-being of Shorewood residents for years to come," State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) said.

Governor Quinn first launched the $1 billion Illinois Clean Water Initiative in his 2012 State of the State Address to help local governments rebuild or repair clean water infrastructure, including aging wastewater and drinking water treatment systems and plants throughout the state. These projects ensure that facilities are being upgraded to protect our streams and rivers, our drinking water supplies and the environment as a whole.

According to the U.S. EPA, it is estimated the water infrastructure needs in Illinois over the next 20 years total $32 billion, including $17 billion in wastewater projects (which is the 6th highest among the states) and $15 billion in drinking water projects (4th highest need in the nation). To date, more than $800 million in wastewater and drinking water loans have been awarded under the Illinois Clean Water Initiative.

To learn more about Governor Quinn's Illinois Clean Water Initiative, visit CleanWater.Illinois.gov.