Colchester, IL – The West Prairie Water Cooperative is hopeful it will qualify for a second grant to expand its system.
The Co-op plans to begin pumping water to its first 200 customers in west central McDonough County by midsummer.
It's already preparing a Phase 2 expansion that would reach consumers in the southwestern part of McDonough County.
Don Burns of Rural Development in Galesburg's USDA office says he's been re-assured that money for grants has been included in next year's federal budget. In addition, he says he's been told there could be additional money in the reauthorization of the farm bill to expand the grant pool.
Burns says there are still more request than there is funding, but he believes the figures might not be too far apart.
The coop gets its water from the Dallas Rural Water System in western Hancock County.
During the setup, the Blandinsville Fire Protection District donated a number of fire hydrants that will be installed along the 84 miles of water main.