Bushnell, IL – Bushnell aldermen have approved engineering studies on water mains to bolster their application for a grant.
Mayor Steve Russell says the city could learn in a few weeks whether it will receive $500,000 in state money to help replace rusting water main.
He says the studies are needed for grant applications.
However, the council has also agreed it is prepared to issue bonds for the work to speed up the process.
Russell says if the matching grant comes through, the council will still bond for the rest.
He says it wants to get the work done as soon as possible, instead of stretching it over several years.
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The city has about 60 blocks of water main that must be replaced to eliminate the "red water" problem.
The city has tried chemical remediation to eliminate the color from the water, but it has not been thoroughly effective.
The city is also planning to smoke-test and view by television the condition of some of the city's sewers.
Russell says some of them are old and will need major repairs. He is hoping for assistance from the Community Development Assistance Program for that.