Carbondale Reporter

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is ensuring millions in loans towards the state’s water infrastructure.

“Municipalities in the 117th district (are) in need of financial assistance to improve their water and sewer systems are getting low-interest, partially forgiven loans to make necessary investments, upgrades, and renovations in clean drinking water and new sewer treatment systems,” Rep. Dave Severin wrote on Facebook.

The Illinois EPA noted the loans that are to be given out with low interest.

The village of Hurst will receive $806,000.31 with $362,970 of that amount forgiven for improvements to the existing wastewater collection and treatment systems, which are more than 30 years old. Hurst will rehabilitate the plant, replace and modify the chlorination system. They will also add a dichlorination system.

The city of Sesser will receive a low-interest loan of $772,049.70 with $386,024.85 to install a water main, and a new meter reading system to help the city improve its water distribution system infrastructure and continue to provide safe, clean drinking water. The city of West Frankfort will receive a $774,560 loan with $387,280 forgiven to install radio-read water meters and to purchase equipment and necessary software.

The investments will improve the city’s water distribution system and allow for more efficient record keeping and billing.

“The Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund loan programs provide vital funding which enables communities to address ongoing challenges associated with aging water infrastructure,” Illinois EPA Director John Kim said in a release. “This funding provides for the continued protection of drinking water, the proper collection of stormwater, and the necessary treatment of wastewater, resulting in an improved quality of life for Illinois residents and protection of our environment.”

To see a list of the counties that received funding, visit the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s release.

“Through our robust State Revolving Fund, Illinois EPA continues to meet the needs of communities and water districts that rely on this funding to address the ongoing challenges of deteriorating infrastructure," Kim said in a statement to the Intelligencer. “The Illinois EPA remains committed to assisting loan recipients, especially disadvantaged communities, with funding that will address their wastewater and drinking water needs while protecting public health and the environment.”

Severin was elected to serve the 117th District in 2016. He is a small business owner in Benton; He was active on the Benton grade school board for over 29 years, and the Board of Directors for Centerstone community health not-for-profit for over 16 years.