JOLIET – State Senator Rachel Ventura recently announced that Joliet is set to receive $76 million from the Illinois EPA to enhance water infrastructure.

“To invest in our water infrastructure is to invest in our communities and their health,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “With these funds, Joliet can complete the work on replacing water mains that desperately need to be updated in order to decrease the water leaks into the ground.”

The Illinois EPA announced nearly $205 million in water infrastructure loans for local governments and water districts through this round of funding. Of the investments, Joliet received the highest amount, giving the city the ability to tackle its ongoing restoration and deterioration issues.

Joliet will replace approximately 31 miles of deteriorated and undersized water mains throughout the city. The restoration work also includes replacing fire hydrants and valves along the project route.

Illinois’ water infrastructure loan programs receive federal funding annually, which is combined with state matching funds, interest earnings, repayment money and periodic bond sale proceeds to finance the infrastructure projects.

“The Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund continues to provide vital financial assistance to communities and water districts throughout Illinois,” said Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John J. Kim. “Illinois EPA remains committed to helping to remedy deteriorating and failing infrastructure across our state by being a solid funding resource for communities in need of long-term, low-interest, and subsidized funding.”

For more information about water infrastructure loans, visit the Illinois EPA website.