Water Co-Op Seeks State Funding

Colchester, IL – With federal money drying up, the fledgling West Prairie Rural Water Cooperative will try to secure some state funds. It's asked the Western Illinois Regional Council to do an income survey in parts of McDonough County to see if the co-op might qualify for Community Development Assistance Program funds. Project engineer Brad Lanier says applications for federal Rural Development money were accepted, but no funds will be available until at least late this year. The co-op has about 220 members signed up. So far it's arranged for just over hal fo the 300 easements it will need to bring water from Hancock County's Dallas Rural Water District.