Peoria Heights waterworks to be modernized with nearly $1 million federal dollars

PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD) — Water in Peoria Heights will soon see a completely new look.

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen spoke to business owners and Peoria Heights residents about the $960,000 in federal dollars that will completely restructure the village’s water system.

“I’ve had many conversations over the course of the past couple of years with parents who are nervous about turning on the faucet and giving a glass of water to their kids,” the Rockford Democrat said. “We have to be crystal clear about this to people here at home. That should not and it will not ever happen again.”

The water main and service lines along Illinois Route 29 will be replaced using the grant money, offering cleaner water.

For years village residents have dealt with discolored water, at times, and also frequent checks by state officials who would test the water’s safety. It’s hoped, the congressman said, these improvements will alleviate those fears.

“So this money will go a long way in providing funding for the water main improvements, it’s a total of about $2.4 million down there,” said Wayne Aldrich, the village’s community development director. “But this will get us certainly quite a ways down the road on that project. We appreciate [Sorensen’s] partnership on this and really want to get started on this project as soon as possible.”