Governor Quinn Announces Clean Water Investments in Stickney and Burbank

STICKNEY - Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments to make significant clean water related improvements in Stickney and Burbank. The projects, totaling $134 million, will help curb water pollution and alleviate flooding while supporting hundreds of jobs. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"The past few years we have seen a substantial amount of rainfall and flooding across Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "In order to keep up with extreme weather, we must invest in communities like Stickney and Burbank to keep all residents safe and dry. These projects will mean cleaner water, a healthier environment and protection against damaging floods.

Modernizing our infrastructure will also create jobs, grow the local economy and protect residents well into the future." With these new investments, Stickney will build the world's largest phosphorous recovery facility to curb water pollution and Burbank will expand the capacity of the Melvina Ditch Reservoir to divert stormwater from nearby residences.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will use $124 million in low-interest loans through Governor Quinn's Clean Water Initiative for two separate projects at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant.

When excess amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen are discharged from treatment plants, it can fuel algae blooms and decrease oxygen needed by aquatic plants and animals. This nutrient pollution can also degrade drinking water quality and require utilities to install costly treatment equipment.

To combat water pollution, the MWRD will build a phosphorus recovery system to reduce the amount of phosphorus in the treatment plant and allow the pollutant to be recycled and reused elsewhere.

The MWRD will also upgrade the plant by constructing nine new primary settling tanks, a new aerated grit building, electric substation, scum removal facilities and other necessary improvements. The project will replace several older pieces of equipment which have reached the end of their useful life, as well as help to make the plant run more efficiently while protecting the environment.

The MWRD project receives additional benefits from the Governor's Clean Water Initiative as these subsidized loans result in additional savings over the life of the loans.

The phosphorus recovery project is expected to last until spring of 2017, and the upgrade of the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant is expected to run through the fall of 2018.

"The phosphorus recovery system is a proactive step to address pollutant loading and improve water quality in area waters," Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "In addition, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is taking the necessary steps to upgrade outdated equipment and to improve efficiencies at the plant to meet the needs of the community and surrounding areas."

"These funds will enable the district to move forward on phosphorus recovery and infrastructure upgrades that will provide for more efficient operations, beneficial reuse of waste products generated during the treatment process and energy conservation," MWRD President Kathleen Meany said. "We will begin constructing the world's largest phosphorus recovery facility which will produce up to 10,000 tons per year of a clean fertilizer product for sale to agriculture. The Governor is also financially supporting one or more projects that will allow the MWRD to expedite stormwater management initiatives, including the expansion of the Melvina Ditch Reservoir and other crucial flood protection projects, all of which will benefit the residents of Cook County and the water environment."

Burbank will use up to $10 million from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program to alleviate flooding by expanding the capacity of the existing Melvina Ditch Reservoir. The reservoir diverts stormwater from nearby residences, and expanding it will increase its ability to keep heavy rainfall from entering local basements and flooding area streets.

"I wholeheartedly thank the state of Illinois and, in particular, Governor Quinn for coming to the aid of all Burbank residents," Burbank Mayor Harry Klein said. "The grant monies will be put to good use to better the lives of many Burbank households and their families who suffer from repetitive flooding problems."

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 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. To learn more about the Illinois Clean Water Initiative, visit CleanWater.Illinois.gov.

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 $800 million in wastewater and drinking water loans have been awarded under the Illinois Clean Water Initiative.

Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.