USDA Invests $66 Million for New Water Infrastructure in the Village of Fieldon and Rural Jersey County

(Champaign, Ill., March XX, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega today announced that the agency is investing $66 million in a new water treatment plant for the Village of Fieldon and much of the surrounding rural area. The Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Company Inc, a not-for-profit water supplier, is building a new water treatment plant to provide safe potable water to 367 residents in the Village of Fieldon and 7,750 residents in parts of rural Jersey County.

"Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA Rural Development is committed to ensuring access to safe, reliable water throughout the United States, including here in rural Illinois," said Ortega. "This investment towards a dependable treatment facility in Jersey County will improve the lives of families and businesses in the community by improving and increasing access to water."

USDA Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program provides financing for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding for this project consists of a $42 million direct loan and a $24 million grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.

In addition to building the water treatment plant, the Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Company will construct two wells, install a raw water transmission main, and install water transmission lines to the Village of Fieldon and Jersey County Rural Water. Construction on the project will begin in the coming weeks and are estimated to last 18 months to two years to complete the project.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and transportation infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/il.

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