Illinois EPA Plans Annual Hearing on Planned Water Programs
For Immediate Release
Aug. 11, 1999 |
Contact: Joan Muraro
217-785-7209
TDD 217-782-9143 |
Springfield, Ill. -- Updates on three Illinois EPA water programs will
be discussed during the Bureau of Water's annual public hearing on Aug. 17. Specifically,
public input is being sought on the revolving loan programs for wastewater and drinking
water operations, the state's water quality management plan for the coming year, and
requirements of a new federally-required capacity statement for public water supplies.
The annual hearing will open at 10 a.m. in the Training Room at the Agency's
Springfield headquarters at 1021 North Grand Avenue East. For those unable to attend,
written comments postmarked by midnight, Sept. 17, 1999, will be accepted by hearing
officer John D. Williams. Written comments do not need to be notarized, and can be sent to
Williams at the Illinois EPA, 1021 North Grand Avenue East, PO Box 19276, Springfield IL
62794-9276.
To meet provisions of the federal Clean Water Act, the Agency must prepare an intended
use plan in order to receive U.S. EPA funding to capitalize the Water Revolving Loan Fund.
Public comment will be accepted on the method for prioritizing projects and identifying
the highest priority projects which have first opportunity to receive low interest loans
for needed water and wastewater improvement projects.
The Water Quality Management Plan identifies the state's goals and objectives relative
to water quality protection, and is updated annually. The draft update is available for
review prior to the public hearing at www.epa.state.il.us/public-notices.
Under federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, new public water supplies will be
required to demonstrate they have the technical, managerial and financial capacity to
furnish adequate supplies of safe drinking water. In addition, the Agency is required to
develop a strategy to assist existing water supplies to comply with monitoring, maximum
contaminant level and treatment technique requirements. The public is invited to provide
input into these requirements at the public hearing or until the Sept. 17, 1999, closure
of the hearing record.
Additional information about the three programs can be obtained by contacting:
- Revolving Loan Funds: Ron Drainer, 217-782-2027
- Water Quality Management Plan: Rick Mollahan, 217-782-3362, and
- Public water supply capacity development: Lou Allyn Byus, 217-782-1020.
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