LibGuides: Illinois Water Supply Information: Legislation

Illlinois Executive Orders and Initiatives

Governor's Clean Water Initiative Makes $1 billion available through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (IEPA) State Revolving Fund (SRF), in partnership with the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), in low-cost loans to local governments for waste water and drinking water capital projects.
Illinois Executive Order 2006-01, EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AND REGIONAL WATER-SUPPLY PLANS Issued January 9, 2006 by Governor Blagojevich. Called for the development of State and regional water-supply plans, and included a 3-year funding commitment to carry out the mandates. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources and the Illinois State Water Survey were named as the agencies responsible for carrying out the work.

Illinois Water Supply and Water Quality Legislation

Many statutes dealing with water supply can found in the Environmental Safety chapter (CH. 415) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

Contracts for Supply of Water Sets the rules for municipalities to establish contracts for water supply.
Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (Repealed) This act, now repealed, was intended to apply green infrastructure, emulating natural hydrology, to stormwater management. The Act enumerates the benefits. It called on the IEPA to provide a report to the General Assembly and the Governor by June 30, 2010 a review of green infrastructure for stormwater management, including the impact of devoting 20% of the Water Revolving Fund to green infrastructure. Link is to a capture by the Internet Archive prior to the act's repeal.
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This act was repealed during the 100th general assembly (2017-2018) by Public Act 100-621.
Groundwater Emergency Restrictions Allows districts to recommend restrictions on groundwater withdrawals in for the Iroquois and Mackinaw watersheds.
Illinois Groundwater Protection Act Restores, protects, and enhances the groundwaters of Illinois as a natural and public resource.
Public Act 102-0831: Amendment to the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act This amendment to the Illinois Groundwater Protection act established the advisory Mahomet Aquifer Council in August 2021.
Illinois Water Authorities Act Allows for the establishment of water authorities (taxation districts).
Illinois Water Well Construction Code
Illinois Water Well Pump Installation Code
Municipal Joint Water Action Agency Allows municipalities and other entities to establish intergovernmental agreements to provide "adequate supplies of water."
Powers Vested in the Environmental Protection Agency Establishes the powers of the Illinois EPA.
Public Water Supply Operations Act Requires designation of "responsible operator" for any community water supply who is registered with the state supervises water treatment.
Public Water Supply Regulation Act
River Conservancy Districts Act Facilitates "unified control of a lake or of a river system or a portion thereof" allowing petition to propose a conservancy district with the authority to tax residents of the district.
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Also see Illinois River Conservancy Districts (related LibGuide)
Soil and Water Conservation District Act Provides "(a) for the conservation of the soil, soil resources, water and water resources of this State, (b) for the control and prevention of soil erosion, (c) for the prevention of air and water pollution, and (d) for the prevention of erosion, floodwater and sediment damages..." by allowing the creation of county districts with the authority to levy taxes.
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Also see Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (related LibGuide)
Water Pollutant Discharge Act Prohibits discharges of oil or other pollutants to waters used for water supply,

Illinois Water Supply Legislation

Federal Legislation

Clean Water Act Amendments made in 1972 to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which "establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters."
Safe Drinking Water Act Ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Authorizes EPA to sets standards for drinking water quality and to oversee the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards. Passed in 1974 and amended in 1986 and 1996
Regulations.gov Search for proposed federal regulations and supporting documents on any topic.

International Treaties and Agreements

Water is a resource that crosses state and federal boundaries. Agreements between the US and Canada govern the stewardship of shared waters.

Boundary Waters Treaty A 1909 agreement between the US and Great Britain regarding use and stewardship of boundary waters between the US and Canada, primarily the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Initially adopted in 1978, updated in 1983, 1987, and 2012.