Clean River - Healthy Riverfront Program

The City of Peoria is developing a long-term plan to reduce sewer overflows to the Illinois River, as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

For information on the options for controlling overflows or the public comment period that expired August 20, click on "Public Meeting Info" in the menu at left.

Combined sewer overflows are a century-old problem in more than 700 U.S. communities, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest. Illinois has more than 100 communities with combined sewers, which combine sewage and stormwater into the same pipe.

During dry weather, sewage flows safely through the city's sewers to the Greater Peoria Sanitation District wastewater treatment plant. However, about 28 times a year melting snow or rainwater can overwhelm the sewers, causing untreated sewage to overflow into the Illinois River.

Peoria must examine its sewer overflows and prepare a long-term control plan that meets Clean Water Act requirements and protects the Illinois River. The City is working with U.S. EPA and Illinois EPA to develop the plan.

The City has formed a Clean River Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Peoria Department of Public Works as it develops the long-term plan. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Cathi Hawkinson at 309-676-0900.