The Village of

May 9, 2007

Pollution Control Board, Attention : Clerk

100 West Randolph Street

James R. Thompson Center, Suite 11-500

Chicago, IL 60601-32112

Godfte

MAURICE "MOF."JUHLIN

MARK A .

STEwAR'r

ELDON C . WILLIAMS

JERRY

C . GIBSON

MICIIAEI

.J . MCCORMICK

JEFFERY R . WF'.RER

RECEIVEDCLERK'S

OFFICE

MAY 1

11 2007

STATE OF ILLIN016

Pollution Control Board

To Whom It May Concern :

As Mayor of Godfrey, IL, I am asking you to support Illinois American

Water's petition to extend the adjusted standard that allows the Company to

continue discharging residuals from its Alton water treatment facility into the

Mississippi River. The Village of Godfrey receives its water from the Illinois

American Water plant in Alton .

Nine years ago, I was pleased that Illinois American met the area's need and

built a new water plant to replace the old plant that had been flooded in

1993.

The partnership between Illinois American Water and Great Rivers Land

Trust came about based largely on the feedback from local residents and

elected officials in this area who welcomed a new water treatment plant but

did not want lagoons at the treatment site, nor did they want increased truck

traffic on the nearby road to haul residuals to a landfill .

This partnership between the water company and GRLT has benefited the

Alton and Godfrey communities and our environment . It is an

example of

what can be achieved when industry and environmentalists work together in

the best interests of a community

. This type of partnership should be

encouraged and not discouraged

. The project has received numerous

awards due to its overwhelming success over the past seven years

.

There seems to be no good reasons to disallow the petition . Discharging

residuals into the Mississippi River has been the practice here for more than

100 years . It is my understanding that this direct discharge practice does not

negatively affect the river environment

. The water company is discharging

back into the river only what it originally removes

.

6810

Godfrey Road • Box 5067

Godfrey • Illinois •

62035

618 466-3324 • FAX 618-466-0890

I

MAYOR

MICHAEL J . CAMPION

p VILLAGE

CLERK

t AMEIA E .

WHISLER

RE

: AS 2007-2 (Petition for Adjusted Standard)

C

TRUSTEES

---

Another concern I have is that if the petition to extend the adjusted standard

is denied, it would mean higher water rates for Godfrey residents . Lagoons

and the alternate residual-handling technologies at the treatment facility are

more expensive than the direct discharge option . These additional costs

ultimately would be passed on to local water ratepayers .

The success of the Piasa Creek Watershed Project would not have been

possible without Illinois American Water, which has been the primary

contributor

. This money has helped GRLT attract state and national funds .

Numerous sediment reduction projects have been implemented as a result

of the Company's contributions . It is my understanding that eliminating the

direct discharge allowance will eliminate the largest funding source for the

maintenance/upkeep of these valuable projects .

I hope you will consider the Village of Godfrey's thoughts and approve Illinois

American Water's petition for an adjusted standard . It makes sense for local

residents in Aton and Godfrey . It makes no sense to disallow it, after seven

successful years and the many benefits to local residents and the local

environment.

Thank you

C: Senator Bill Haine

State Rep . Dan Beiser

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