Central Illinois Lawmakers Applaud EPA Decision on Mahomet Aquifer Designation

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), and Illinois State Representatives Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), Carol Ammons (D-Urbana/Champaign), Adam Brown (R-Champaign), and Tim Butler (R-Springfield) today applauded the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to designate a portion of the Mahomet Aquifer system as a sole source aquifer (SSA).

"I have been in direct contact with the EPA administrator and my office has been in touch with regional representatives regarding this petition for sometime now so I am very pleased they have finally made a decision," said Davis. "This designation makes clear the importance of the Mahomet Aquifer and will hopefully help further the bipartisan efforts of state and local officials to protect the main source of drinking water for more than 700,000 residents throughout Central Illinois."

"As one of the individuals who testified at the regional hearing in favor of this designation, I'm glad to see the US EPA recognize this wonderful resource for what it is," said Rose. "I appreciate Congressman Davis' efforts. Since he has been in office, he's worked very hard on this issue, and he should be commended for bringing this to fruition."

"I am very pleased that the U.S. EPA has listened to the concerns of countless citizens from DeWitt County and throughout central Illinois," said Mitchell. "Classifying the Mahomet Aquifer as a Sole Source Aquifer will help protect this vital source of drinking water for central Illinois families. I have worked with my colleagues for years now to protect the Mahomet Aquifer and today's action by the U.S. EPA is great news."

"Sole Source designation will protect our Aquifer now and for generations to come," said Ammons. "This designation for the Mahomet Aquifer by the U.S. EPA recognizes its vital importance as the sole source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of residents of Central Illinois."

"The Mahomet Aquifer underlies 14 counties throughout our region and is our main source of drinking water," said Brown. "Today's decision by the U.S. EPA will help protect the residents of east-central Illinois and ensure they have clean drinking water for future generations."

"Designating the Mahomet Aquifer as a sole source aquifer will help protect a vital source of drinking water for many families throughout Central Illinois," said Butler. "I applaud the EPA's decision and will continue to work with my colleagues in the state government to ensure it remains a viable source of drinking water for years to come."