Sorensen, EPA Administrator Regan Promote Clean Water Investments in Rockford

ROCKFORD, IL – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Illinois EPA Director John Kim, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and local leaders, to highlight water infrastructure projects in Rockford and announce new nationwide funding for clean water infrastructure. 

"Everyone in Central and Northwestern Illinois should have access to safe, clean drinking water," said Sorensen. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is working to make that happen by replacing lead pipes in places like Rockford, Illinois. These investments will help our families live healthier lives and create good-paying, sustainable jobs at the same time." 

“Every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to the partnership with Congressman Sorensen, coupled with President Biden’s historic infrastructure investments in America, we have an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize America’s drinking water systems, support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of removing 100% of lead pipes across our country, and protect communities from PFAS pollution.” 

“I’m proud to be in Rockford today to help EPA announce this historic SRFfunding, which was made possible by my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, that will help upgrade, improve and repair water infrastructure in Illinois and around the country,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). “Because of my DWWIA bill, I’m also pleased that a portion of this funding will be available as grants and loan forgiveness to ensure these investments reach the most underserved communities and give all of our water systems this opportunity. Every American—no matter their race, income or zip code—deserves to have confidence that the systems carrying and processing the water they use every day are safe, clean and reliable.”

“Environmental injustice has allowed drinking water infrastructure failures to proliferate in communities like Rockford,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “Thankfully, with the help of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, almost $330 million is being brought home to Illinois to confront a monumental task: to ensure our communities know and trust their water is safe to drink. Rockford will finally be able to implement their plans to improve the lives of their residents and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to deliver more federal funding to communities like them.” 

“With this historic increase in drinking water SRF funding, we will remain at the forefront of addressing lead and other water infrastructure needs in our community and continue our commitment to providing safe drinking water for all Rockford residents,”said Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara. 

Sorensen and EPA Administrator Regan toured sites around Rockford where federal investments are providing cleaner, safer water to Illinoisans. They hosted a press conference to announce over $6.5 billion in investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve water infrastructure nationwide.

The leaders visited a Rockford neighborhood where a lead pipe that connects the city’s water supply to household plumbing is being upgraded. They also toured Unit Well 39 Radium Treatment Plant, where an outdated facility is being replaced to remove iron, manganese, and radium. 

The over $6.5 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding announced today will go to states, Tribes, and territories for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). $3 billion in funding will be used to identify and replace lead pipes and over $50 billion is designated for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country between 2022 and 2026. 

Congressman Eric Sorensen is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to represent Illinois at the federal level and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. 

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