Funding through the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG) program will help recovery from heavy rains and flooding
Champaign, Ill., Sept. 8, 2025 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) State Director Jesus Ortega announced today that USDA RD is investing $137,000 to help fund emergency repairs to watermains in Franklin and Jersey counties in Illinois. The watermains were damaged by heavy rains and flooding.
"We are pleased to partner with Franklin and Jersey counties to support swift recovery from the heavy rains and flooding that affected these communities,” said State Director Ortega. “This funding will be essential in helping to ensure the quality and quantity of water that is available to people in these parts of rural Illinois for generations to come."
The Akin Water District will receive $89,000. Jersey County Rural Water, Inc. will receive $48,000.
This investment is through the USDA RD Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG) program. The ECWAG program helps eligible communities prepare for, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.
“The funding announced today is another example of how the Trump administration has the health and safety of people in rural Illinois at the forefront of priorities,” State Director Ortega said. "President Trump is committed to supporting the people of rural Illinois, when faced with weather disasters and emergencies."
More information about the USDA RD Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants program is available online, here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/emergency-community-water-assistance-grants/il.
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