EPA announces more than $21 million for Illinois drinking water projects

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CHICAGO (KBSI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced more than $21 million in grant funding for Illinois communities to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water systems.

According to the EPA, $21.3 million will be made available through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program to help communities, water systems and private well owners with testing, planning and infrastructure improvements.

The funding will support efforts to address PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” along with other contaminants identified on the EPA’s Contaminant Candidate Lists.

EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel said the investment is aimed at helping communities reduce exposure to contaminants and improve access to safe drinking water.

The EPA said the funding is part of a larger nationwide initiative focused on reducing PFAS exposure and improving drinking water infrastructure, particularly in small, rural and disadvantaged communities.

The agency also announced continued efforts through its PFAS OUT initiative, which works with communities and water systems to address contamination from PFOA and PFOS in drinking water supplies.

Federal officials said more than $5 billion has been made available nationally through the grant program over five years, with additional financing available through EPA water infrastructure loan programs.

More information about the grant program is available through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | US EPA.