Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District preparing to renovate wastewater infrastructure

Posted on October 26, 2023

*The overall project will consist of 14 individual projects. The district hopes to start rehabilitation in the next five years. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)*

BLOOMINGTON – On Wednesday, the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District announced plans for its Wastewater Modernization and Renovation Project.

According to the district, the purpose of the project is to address aging infrastructure and increase capacity at both treatment plants.

The overall project will consist of 14 individual projects. The district hopes to start rehabilitation in the next five years.

The estimated cost is $300 million. The district plans on using funds through the Federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) and the Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund Water Pollution Control Loan Program (WPCLP).

Timothy Ervin, the district’s executive director, said it’s better for everyone for the infrastructure to be updated.

“This is just not a public infrastructure project. These are long-term investments in the public health and our community, the economy, and for the environment,” he said.

The long-term project will take up to 20 years to complete.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…