Governor Quinn Announces $224,000 Investment for Drinking Water Improvements for Lee County's Lost Lake Community

DIXON - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $224,000 investment for the construction of a second well to serve residents in the Lost Lake Community near Dixon. The project is funded by a low-interest loan through Governor Quinn's Illinois Clean Water Initiative. This announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to drive the economy forward and protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure.

"This project will ensure a safe and reliable source of water for residents of the Lost Lake community," Governor Pat Quinn said. "That's what our Clean Water Initiative is all about, helping make communities like Lost Lake even better places to live and work."

Lost Lake Utility District currently has a single well as their only water source. While the single well is adequate to meet the current and projected water demands of the community, the District does not have a back-up water supply. The well was out of service for almost a week in 2008 when the well pump, motor and piping had to be replaced, and the District had to haul and deliver water to residents. Loan funds will be used to construct a second well to avoid similar problems in the future. In addition to constructing a new well, the well house/treatment facility will be expanded and upgraded.

"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."

The Governor's Clean Water Initiative provides subsidized loans, resulting in additional savings for communities over the life of the loans. The wastewater project is expected to be completed in December of 2014.

Governor Quinn first launched the Illinois Clean Water Initiative in his 2012 State of the State Address to help local governments rebuild or repair clean water infrastructure, including our 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. In July, Governor Quinn signed legislation that doubles Clean Water Initiative funding to $2 billion and expands the program to include stormwater management and treatment projects.

According to the U.S. EPA it is estimated the total 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 $850 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.