The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural Development (RD) provided a $1,243,000 grant and a $786,000 loan through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program to the Village of Burnt Prairie, IL, to construct a new 75,000-gallon elevated water storage tank. The project will provide better quality water to approximately 230 people across 56 square miles and reduce water loss.

"I'm glad to see this project come to fruition for our partner, the Village of Burnt Prairie,” said USDA RD Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega. “The project showcases how our Rural Development programs continue to greatly benefit rural Americans."

The new water tower is located just outside of the Village of Burnt Prairie in Burnt Prairie Township. It stands near where the previous water tower once stood.

Inspections of the former water tower, which was a standpipe style tower, showed corroded paint coatings leaks in the bolts and seams. The water tower also had no mixing capabilities, which are necessary so that water can be turned in the tank, helping to ensure water quality.

The project is part of a major upgrade of the village’s water system, which includes the installation of automatic-read water meters. The new water tower is an elevated single-pedestal style water tank. Unlike the standpipe style tank, which has only one point of entry at the top, the new tank has a door at the bell, which is where the electrical panels and the telemetry system is located. The telemetry system shows the water elevation in the tank.

“This was a big project. We went from reading meters manually to automatically, which greatly improves accuracy, efficiency and speed.” 

-Burnt Prairie Interim Mayor John Whetstone

Even while managing his busy grain farm, John quickly found time to become involved in the project as soon as he became interim mayor in April 2025.

“I didn’t want the grant to be in jeopardy.” 

So he sprang into action, learning a lot in a short period of time. He kept up with the steep learning curve by keeping paperwork organized and staying on the same page as the grant writers.

“Lucky, I was working with two really great grant writers,” he said.

Haley Huie with Horner & Shifrin was project manager from start to finish.

“The Village of Burnt Prairie was great to work with,” Huie said. “Everyone was very responsive, worked with schedules to meet on site, and prompt with getting us the information we needed.”

Responsiveness was crucial in a project that was critical to the community.

“Projects like these are so important in providing quality water to the customers and must happen to be in compliance with the IEPA standards and regulations,” Haley said.

USDA RD Area Specialist Kelly Dauby said she feels fortunate to have been involved.

“As an RD employee, it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of projects like this where the impact is clear, immediate, and shared by entire communities,” Kelly said. “It was great to work with all involved. I consider myself fortunate to be able to have even a small hand in such beneficial project.”

To learn more about USDA Rural Development funding programs visit: www.rd.usda.gov/il.