The City of Dixon’s Cross Connection Survey and Jo-Carroll Energy will receive a $14 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The funds awarded to the entities will provide services to a 250-square-mile region of Illinois, positively affecting both water quality and internet accessibility. The Dixon survey will serve to improve water cleanliness for the city, and will work to enforce the established regulations to ensure a safe water supply. Jo-Carroll Energy will be using the funds to construct high-speed fiber internet for rural communities.
Dixon’s funding will be used for its Cross Connection Control Program, which strives to protect public health. As a part of Dixon’s Water Use Surveys, they conduct surveys via mail for their customers once every three years. Dixon customers will receive mailed surveys in the coming days, if they have not already been delivered. The surveys will also need to be completed within 30 days of being received.
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Along with surveys, the funding will go toward water testing. In alignment with the Illinois EPA, the water use survey seeks to eliminate cross connections in water systems in order to guarantee safe drinking water for IL communities.
“In this day and age, all of America needs robust, modern infrastructure to thrive," Deputy Under Secretary for the USDA’s Rural Development Bette Brand said. "This is a necessity and not an amenity."
Through the expanded internet access made possible by the USDA funding, Jo-Carroll Energy will be able to provide improved online access for people within Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll and Whiteside counties.
Jo-Carroll President and CEO Mike Casper responded resolutely when asked what the funding meant for its members, saying “Two simple words: the future!”
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