By Fehr Graham on January 13, 2022
Category: Our Solutions

Rockford secures millions in funding for ongoing lead service line project

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

Fehr Graham works with the City of Rockford, Illinois, to protect one of its most valued resources: water. With Fehr Graham's help, Rockford was the second city in Illinois to take advantage of a program replacing water service lines for free. Our team has helped replace more than 1,000 lead service lines in Rockford.

Once Fehr Graham secured approval of the overall project plan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the loan application processes for several phases began. After the loan application process was complete, our team helped pull together project specifications for bidding, collected easements from affected users within the distribution system, completed bidding coordination per the Illinois EPA bidding process and ultimately managed the project from a contractual and constructional standpoint.

Rockford is now starting Phase 5 of lead service line replacements after our team helped secure an additional $4 million of forgivable dollars for the City. The Illinois EPA loans covered $12 million of forgivable funding for the project's first four phases.

The City plans to replace its estimated 14,000 water service lines. The project is anticipated to span two decades.

PERIOD OF SERVICES
May 2018 to present

CONTRACT VALUE
$571,274

FUNDING
Illinois EPA Revolving Loan

AT A GLANCE

  • Completed Illinois EPA Project Plan and obtained approval.
  • Assisted with Illinois EPA loan application process for three phases.
  • Prepared specifications and details.
  • Organized contract and project management.
  • Obtained easements from affected properties.
  • Helped manage Illinois EPA loan disbursements.
  • Observed and documented construction process.​