Shimkus Visits Area to Tout New Law to Assist Small Rural Drinking Water Systems

(LEFT TO RIGHT: CONGRESSMAN JOHN SHIMKUS, ILLINOIS RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FRANK DUNMIRE, AND E-J WATER COOPERATIVE C-E-O BILL TEICHMILLER)

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) Wednesday joined local leaders in Dieterich, Marshall, Lawrenceville and Sandoval to announce the availability of technical assistance for rural water systems.

The new law reauthorizes $15 million each year through 2020 for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) technical assistance program for small, public water systems, and requires EPA to target the training and technical assistance funds appropriated by Congress to programs most beneficial to small and rural communities.

“A major source of financial stress for small and rural drinking water supply systems is compliance with EPA regulations,” Shimkus explained. “These communities need access to technical professionals to help find the most cost-effective way to identify repair and replacement options for their systems, and to comply with EPA standards.”

Shimkus was joined at each location by Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA) Executive Director Frank Dunmire. The IRWA represents over 800 small communities, water districts and co-ops throughout the state.

“Almost all of the more than 3,500 community water supplies in Illinois are dependent on on-site technical assistance and training while they struggle with complying with the ever-growing list of EPA regulations,” said Dunmire. “It is through this training and on-site assistance that many communities avoid violations and/or hefty fines.”