Lanark gets water funds

17th Cong. Eric Sorensen (D-East Moline) joined community leaders in Lanark Wednesday morning, May 29, to announce and celebrate the $959,752 he secured to repair the city’s water infrastructure.

Sorensen secured the investment from Congress to fix water mains in the city that are experiencing an excess number of breaks.  

The congressman joined Mayor Mark Macomber and former Mayor Kenneth Viglietta outside the Lanark Maintenance Facility to highlight nearly $1 million Sorensen secured to deliver safe and clean water to Lanark families.

The investment comes as part of the Community Project Funding process, which allows members of Congress to secure funds in government spending legislation for critical initiatives in their communities.

Sorensen worked to secure the investment for Lanark in the FY2024 Interior and Environment appropriations bill signed into law by the president on March 9, 2024.

"I have had many conversations with parents who are nervous about turning on their faucet, filling up a glass of water, and giving it to their kids," said Sorensen. "That is why I have made replacing lead pipes, investing in our water mains and sewers, and upgrading our water infrastructure a top priority.”

Added Sorensen, “This funding from Congress will positively impact my neighbors here in Carroll County as we work together to upgrade Lanark's deteriorating water distribution system and deliver clean water to working families."

Mayor Macomber voiced excitement about receiving the grant, saying, “It's a very exciting day here for the City of Lanark. We are ecstatic that Congressman Sorensen is here today.”

Former Mayor Viglietta said during his remarks, "It was over a year ago, the phone rang. I didn't know the number and it didn't say 'spam', so I answered it. And he said, 'Mayor Viglietta?' and I said 'yes'. He says, 'This is Congressman Eric Sorensen, good morning'. From that point on, he never used the word 'I'. It was always 'we'. 'We want you to know what we're going to do for Lanark and the families of Lanark.'"

Added Viglietta with a smile, "I never heard of Lanark getting a million dollars."