The Mississippi River flows through Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, carrying vast quantities of nutrient-rich freshwater and sediment to the Gulf of Mexico. Agricultural and urban runoff, primarily from fertilizers, animal manure and wastewater discharges, increase nitrogen and phosphorus in the river, resulting in hypoxia zones. These so-called dea...
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) is a statewide plan designed to reduce nutrients entering Illinois waterways from agriculture, wastewater treatment plants and urban stormwater runoff. This plan is updated and expanded every two years through biennial reports. The most recent 2023 Biennial Report highlights the efforts, investme...
Biosolids are a byproduct of domestic sewage treatment at wastewater treatment plants. After chemical treatment and testing, this nutrient-rich organic material is commonly repurposed for land application. In Wisconsin, more than 85% of biosolids are reused as inexpensive fertilizer replacement, conditioner or soil amendment. However, per- and poly...
Nutrient runoff in Illinois waterways contributes to eutrophication, which eventually makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico, creating dead zones. These zones have low oxygen and cannot support the aquatic ecosystem. The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) is a collaborative effort across the state to limit the amount of nutrients, partic...
Most wastewater treatment equipment lasts 15 to 20 years, while the average wastewater treatment plants have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years. That means a majority of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) in the U.S., built in the 1970s and 1980s, are nearing or beyond the intended lifespan. Aging pipes, outdated facilities and inefficient technology...
Many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) use digestion to meet federal regulations and reduce total sludge volume. The correct digester optimizes operations and maintenance, so it's crucial to make the best choice – aerobic or anaerobic – for your WWTP. Aerobic digestion is more suitable for small and medium WWTPs because of its high-energy demand....
Access to clean water is essential, making protection against harmful contaminants a health and safety priority — especially in the Midwest. As the nation's agricultural hub, America's Breadbasket faces unique soil and groundwater contamination challenges. States like Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin work to control and reduce pollutants through effect...
Fehr Graham, a leading engineering and environmental firm, helped the Village of Davis and the Decatur Park District secure grant funding to enhance local parks and expand recreational opportunities. Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced more than $55 million in Open Space Land Acquisition and De...
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $75 million in funding for drinking water infrastructure in Illinois. This funding will flow through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and can support lead pipe replacement and inventory projects. This blog post will discuss the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) grant and Lead Ser...
Beautification projects improve public spaces. Landscaping, maintenance, streetscaping, signage, lighting, parking and public art enhance communities. They may also help to improve traffic flow, preserve historic buildings and upgrade parks and open spaces. Improving aesthetics benefits the public, but the expense can deter smaller municipalities f...
In October 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to strengthen efforts to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. The final LCRI builds upon the previous lead and copper rules and includes key provisions proposed by the agency in November 2023. The rule is effective Dec. 30...
When nutrient-rich runoff, which is water containing high levels of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, manure and sewage enters waterways, it causes excessive algae blooms. This leads to a process called eutrophication. Eutrophication blocks the light that seagrass and other underwater plants need to survive – and that's just ...
As the demand for land increases to meet the needs of the expanding urban population, sustainable urban brownfield redevelopment is more important than ever. Despite its challenges, the benefits of restoring old commercial and industrial sites are undeniable. Planning, overseeing and finalizing brownfield redevelopment often requires professional e...
Brownfield redevelopment is integral to improving the economic and environmental conditions across a community. Whether the site is residential, commercial or industrial, brownfields are characterized by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants.To support municipal environmental revitalization efforts, ...
A watershed is an area where water flows downhill into streams, lakes, rivers or wetlands. In natural watersheds, such as forests, about 50% of rainwater infiltrates the soil. In urban watersheds, 30-70% of rainfall runs off into storm drains and natural water bodies. Layers of asphalt and concrete, known as impervious surfaces, reduce the land&rsq...
Although it is regulated at the federal level, stormwater management — and associated expenses — primarily fall under the responsibility of local governments. Many of these governments depend on federal and state funds to manage expenses. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater program regulates point-sour...
Are you ready to transform your community? Whether you’re planning new transit routes, building sidewalks and bridges or adding bike lanes, there’s funding to help. The Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) grant program offers financial support to turn aging transportation infrastructure into opportunities for improving comm...
A staggering 150 million Americans live within 3 miles of contaminated brownfields, making cleanup and redevelopment funds a priority nationwide. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a boon in funding from the Invest in America agenda, providing $300 million to facilitate ongoing efforts to clean and redevelop polluted brownf...
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources administers the state-financed Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants. This cost-sharing grant program between the state and local governments helps Illinois communities acquire and develop land for public parks and recreational spaces. Whether it is a small neighborhood park or a la...
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) offers a historic investment to help local and state governments improve transportation and other infrastructure. With this massive influx of funding — $1.2 trillion — we can improve infrastructure for public transit, drinking water and wastewater for years. After we review grants specific to Illinois, Iowa a...
