Illinois EPA Announces $1.5 Million in Funding Available for Energy Efficiency Upgrades at Public Water Supply Facilities
Illinois EPA Announces $1.5 Million in Funding Available for Energy Efficiency Upgrades at Public Water Supply Facilities
Springfield – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (Illinois EPA) Office of Energy is offering up to $1,500,000 in grant funding available to support energy efficiency projects at publicly owned public water supply (PWS) facilities, commonly referred to as drinking water treatment plants (DWTP). Awarded projects will range from $50,000 to $500,000 with match a requirement of 10-20% based on geographic location. Application materials are available at the Illinois EPA Office of Energy PWS Energy Efficiency Grant Program webpage. The application period closes at 5:00 pm on May 4, 2026.
Eligible projects must be based on recommendations from a third-party energy efficiency assessment and may include pump and motor equipment upgrades, installment of variable frequency drives, energy demand management enhancements, or HVAC and lighting improvements.
“Energy efficiency at public water supply facilities is critical for operational resilience and environmental performance,” said Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings. “By investing in these improvements, utilities strengthen system reliability while advancing long-term sustainability goals.”
The Public Water Supply Energy Efficiency (PWSEE) grant program is funded through the U.S. Department of Energy Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds and will prioritize projects that demonstrate cost effectiveness, energy cost savings, energy rate, and benefits to environmental justice communities.
The initial funding opportunity for the PWSEE awarded $483,000 to three Illinois PWS facilities, enabling upgrades such as lighting and control systems, pump or drive replacements, and HVAC modifications. These improvements are projected to save a total of over 715,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Availability of other Illinois EPA grants and loans for public water infrastructure visit the Illinois EPA Grants & Loans page. For more information about Office of Energy programming, including the PWSEE Grant Program, please visit Office of Energy or call 217-785-8841.
Latest Stories
- Illinois EPA Announces $1.5 Million in Funding Available for Energy Efficiency Upgrades at Public Water Supply Facilities
- As We Prepare to Lay Rev. Jackson to Rest, I’m Thinking About Words That Build Coalitions
- SOUTH CHICAGO RESIDENTS LAUNCH “SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORS FOR QUANTUM” IN SUPPORT OF HISTORIC ILLINOIS QUANTUM AND MICROELECTRONICS PARK DEVELOPMENT
- The Kids Are Alright: High School Sites Outpace Weeklong Early Voting In One Day
- WDB L.E.G.A.C.Y. Weekend Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Black-Owned Businesses
Latest Podcast
MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
