Water quality measures receive cash boost in Illinois

Water quality management planning in Illinois has received a $1.7 million (£1 million) investment.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency $1,790,300 (£1,083,500) of economic recovery funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in an attempt to improve water quality in the state.

EPA acting regional administrator Bharat Mathur said that the funding for water quality improvements would help the state fulfil its aim to restore and protect watersheds.

"This will enhance water infrastructure improvements recently funded by the act," he said.

Given the importance of planning to the EPA's water quality objectives, Water Quality Management Planning grants have been distributed across the US in order to support a number of activities that can help reduce water pollution, such as monitoring the quality of the water.

Meanwhile, analysts from the US Geological Survey recently enlisted the help of Native American tribes to help them in a water quality study of the Puget Sound.

Written by Claire Manning