Governor Quinn Announces Investment to Protect Water System and Create Jobs in Quad Cities

MOLINE - Governor Pat Quinn today announced at total of $54.5 million in investments for water system improvements in Moline and Rock Island. The improvements are funded with low-interest loans through Governor Quinn's Illinois Clean Water Initiative and will create 475 jobs across both projects. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to drive Illinois' economy forward and protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure.

"Improvements in our Quad Cities water systems will protect the health of our residents and create jobs for hundreds of local hardworking men and women," Governor Quinn said. "Funding from the Clean Water Initiative will help fix aging infrastructure in the Quad Cities area, improve the environment and ensure these communities have access to clean drinking water now and into the future."

The city of Moline will use the $43.6 million Clean Water Initiative loan for a comprehensive renovation and upgrade of the out-of-date North Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will improve water systems and the environment and includes a new inflow pumping and screening building, clarifier and excess flow tank modifications, a new chlorine contact tank, additions to bio-solids storage and handling facilities and a new control building. The project is expected to last to the summer of 2017.

"Moline has a long and proud tradition of working cooperatively with both public and private sectors to improve the aging infrastructure of the City," Moline Mayor Scott Raes said. "This new Wastewater Treatment Plant will help continue the momentum the City has in being a leader in providing outstanding services to its residents, businesses and visitors."

The city of Rock Island will use $10.9 million in Clean Water Initiative loans to bring and keep the city in full compliance with their water discharge permit and other environmental regulations. The project is part of the city's Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan which was approved by both the Illinois EPA and the U.S. EPA. A relief sewer will be constructed and installed within the 6th Avenue right-of-way from 24th Street to 6th Street. The relief sewer will intercept all rainfall and snowmelt flow in the existing sewers and redirect it to the west. This will allow three existing outfalls to be closed. In addition, 9,520 feet of new sewer mains and 6,766 feet of new drinking water mains will be installed during construction. The project is expected to continue to the fall of 2015.

"This low-interest loan will assist Rock Island towards completing our $68 million long-term control plan that was developed in 2006," Rock Island Mayor Dennis E. Pauley said. "We are extremely pleased to be a participant in the Illinois Clean Water Initiative."

"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 offers subsidized loans, resulting in additional savings for Moline and Rock Island over the life of the loans. Governor Quinn 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 aging wastewater and drinking water treatment systems and plants throughout the state.

Clean water projects ensure that facilities are being upgraded to protect streams and rivers, 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 storm water management and treatment projects.

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, $1 billion 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.