Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Colona weighs regional wastewater options as Illinois EPA deadline nears
Summary
Commissioners discussed whether to upgrade Colona’s wastewater plant, regionalize treatment, or enter agreements with neighboring utilities; staff noted a Jan. 31 Illinois EPA deadline to indicate direction and that a proposed sewer alignment could run about six miles along Route 6.
Colona officials discussed several wastewater strategies as part of the comprehensive plan update, weighing whether to invest in an upgraded municipal treatment plant, pursue a regionalized plant, or enter an intergovernmental agreement for treatment services.
Staff and commissioners reviewed technical and financial considerations. A consultant described a potential six‑mile sewer alignment along Route 6 and suggested that modern pumping and pipeline options make regionalization more feasible than in prior decades. "One of our options here as we look to upgrade... is to regionalize our wastewater treatment zones which would include a sewer pipe that is going to run 6 miles from Colona along Route 6," a presenter said.
Commissioners emphasized the need for a cash‑flow analysis to compare long‑term costs and revenues under different options; staff said that analysis is underway and that the city must inform Illinois EPA of its preferred direction by Jan. 31. "We do have to let... the Illinois EPA by January 31st which direction we're going to go," a staff speaker said.
Officials also discussed whether building a higher‑capacity facility could allow Colona to accept flows from neighboring areas, creating revenue and supporting commercial growth along the new sewer alignment. Staff said preliminary feasibility work and an engineering study are in process and that final recommendations and cost analyses will be presented to the commission in the coming weeks.
Why it matters: The wastewater decision will shape capital budgets, long‑term service areas and options for economic growth in corridor areas that currently lack water and sewer. The Jan. 31 procedural deadline with the Illinois EPA creates a calendar constraint for staff and elected officials.
What’s next: Staff will complete the cash‑flow and feasibility analyses, coordinate with neighboring utilities and return with a recommended direction before the Illinois EPA date.
