Ryan Announces $6,383,562 Loan for Chicago Drinking Water Improvements

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that more than $6 million in low interest loan funding will be provided to improve drinking water treatment by the city of Chicago to monitor water clarity.

"My administration is committed to providing the highest possible quality of life for Illinois citizens," said Governor Ryan. "These drinking water improvements will make sure that the health and safety of the people served by this facility is preserved."

The construction loan of $6,383,562 will allow installation of new equipment to analyze the amount of particles present in the water to determine if they exceed allowable levels at the city's Jardine and South water purification plants. The funding is being provided by the state's Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund.

Facilities distributing drinking water to the public are required to test daily for turbidity, a condition resulting from suspension of very small materials in the water. At high levels this can make water appear hazy or cloudy. These materials do not cause illness but can shield disease-carrying organisms from coming in contact with chemicals that are added to kill them, such as chlorine.

Installation of the equipment will enable the city to meet new, tougher federal turbidity standards that become effective January 1, 2002.

State matching funds added to federal funding from the wastewater and drinking water revolving loan under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act are channeled though the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.