EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $175,000 grant to the city of East Chicago.
The city will use the money to install green infrastructure at Jeorse Park to reduce stormwater runoff and to filter chemicals, bacteria and other contaminants before they reach the beach and Lake Michigan.
The EPA says the improvements will prevent more than 290,000 gallons of unfiltered runoff from reaching Lake Michigan.
East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland has called Jeorse Park Beach one of the most polluted bodies of water in the nation.
The $175,000 grant was part of more than $2 million grants to 13 cities in Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin aimed at improving public health and water quality at municipal swimming beaches.
