Illinois’ 17th Congressional District has one of the highest percentages of lead pipes of any district in the country.
While Galesburg has replaced all it’s lead service lines, many other surrounding communities struggle to pay for the line replacements.
Recently Illinois’ 17th District Congressman Eric Sorensen helped secure nearly $1 million for Monmouth to replace their lead service lines.
Monmouth Mayor Rod Davies says this is a “meaningful and far-reaching first step” in addressing this “water quality challenge for Monmouth residents.”
He says that because there’s an estimated $8 to $9 million cost to replace all the lines.
Davies says these federal funds will be spent in “high-risk properties” like schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and childcare facilities.
He says not only will the federal funds lessen the financial burden for Monmouth residents but will also expedite the time frame to make replacements.
Galesburg had all its 3,000 lead service lines replaced through approximately $12 million in forgivable loans from Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
