File photo
File photo
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted $422,250 in funding to four wastewater treatment facilities scattered throughout the state.
The Gazette-Democrat writes that the City of Anna will receive $52,250, the City of Rock Island will receive $45,000, the Village of Romeoville will receive $200,000, and Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District will receive $125,000.
The grants, authorized in December 2019, are a part of the IEPA’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Energy Efficiency Program.
IEPA officials stated in a recent news release that the new projects will reduce the volume of energy expended by wastewater treatment operations. By doing so, the treatment facilities will be reducing energy costs for Illinois residents.
IEPA Director John Kim said in a news release that the improvements were already identified before the grants were authorized.
“We are pleased to assist these municipal wastewater organizations with funding to achieve the already identified energy efficiency improvements,” Kim said. “These grants will reduce energy demand as well as operating costs.”
IEPA arranged grant applications based on the energy savings per dollar funded to the treatment facilities.
According to reports obtained by Gazette-Democrat, the City of Anna spends roughly $84,000 a year on electricity used by the treatment plants. This analysis is based on the facility along North Lime Kiln Road.
City administrator Dori Bigler said that with renovations funded by the grant, Anna is hoping to save about 56% on the cost of electricity that t takes to operate the facility.
Anna’s wastewater treatment plant was built in 1990. According to the Gazette-Democrat, the project is scheduled to include the replacement of fans, water pumps, exhaust blowers, and a modernized monitoring system.
Officials say construction will begin this month.
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