Village of Mahomet looks to IEPA for loan to replace water mains

The Village of Mahomet is looking to receive a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to replace approximately 14,100 linear feet (LF) of cast iron watermain with ductile iron watermain under State, Franklin, Lombard, Dunbar, Union, Oak, West, Washington, Hickory and Center streets.

The project will also include replacing water main fittings, valves, fire hydrants, site restoration and appurtenances.

The $3,651,000 is projected to begin Aug. 1, 2021 and will take approximately two years and 10 months to complete once the project is in progress.

A notice provided by IEPA cites justification for the project by the Village of Mahomet: “The Village is proposing to replace these watermains because they are undersized. and have aged past their useful life; the Village is also experiencing a higher rate of water loss than the IEPA recommends. Replacing these watermains will allow the Village to improve the systems reliability for safe drinking water.”

The loan will come with an estimated interest rate of 2.00-percent for a 20-year period. 

The annual repayment of $221,638 would be divided between the Village’s 2,408 drinking water customers, each customer would pay $92.04 per year, which equals $7.67 per month.

However, according to the Village, residential Village water customers, who pay a monthly average of $33.35 for water, won’t see an increase in their water bill with this project because the 2012A Water Bond that they are currently paying for will have been paid in full.

The Village monthly residential water rate is calculated with a “flat rate charge of $5.00 per month per customer in addition to a water usage charge based on the following: $0.54 per 100 gallons used, up to 30,000 gallons; $0.49 per 100 gallons used between 30,000 and 50,000 gallons and $0.44 per 100 gallons used if more than 50,000 gallons. For an average residential customer who uses an average of 5,250 gallons per month, this calculates to $5.00 + ($0.54 x 52.50) = $33.35,” according to the loan document submitted to IEPA. 

There are currently 158 commercial users on Village water. 

The Village of Mahomet has published the IEPA Notice of Categorical Exclusion on its website. 

“Prior to granting its approval of the project plan, the Agency requires that the public be granted an opportunity to comment as to whether in fact the project should be precluded from the formal environmental review process and public hearing,” the notice says.

After reviewing the Village’s outline, the IEPA agrees that the proposed project is technically appropriate and cost effective.

“Unless new information provided through the public comment process causes reconsideration, the Agency will approve this planning at the close of the public comment period,” it reads.

Public comment will be open for 10 days and must be received by the applicant or directly to the IEPA contact person, Jasmine Mallory.

Jasmine Mallory,
Project Manager Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Bureau of Water
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
(217) 782-2027