Change Coming For Quincy’s Water Supply

A joint venture involving Quincy and the state of Illinois to develop a new water source for the city is in the works.
Governor Bruce Rauner says the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will invest three million dollars--half of the development funds for the proposed well project-- as a commitment to the City of Quincy and the Illinois Veterans Home. Ground water is less likely to contain bacteria including Legionella. Rauner says construction will begin this summer and be complete in a year and the well will supply all of Quincy's needs. Quincy Mayor Kyle Moore says the shift to using well water has been in the works and part of long range planning for Quincy since 1981. Moore says the change could save 600-thousand dollars in planned rehab work to Quincy's outdated water treatment facility. Moore says the project to convert to well water would not be possible without the grant from the Illinois EPA. The current water facility on the Mississippi River at the foot of Maine would be incorporated into plans for additional development of Quincy's riverfront.