By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

The City of Pontiac is in the planning stages of a massive overhaul of the water treatment plant.

City Administrator Bob Karls said the sewage treatment plant is over 35 years old and in need of big upgrades, as well as an additional change.

“The Federal government has mandated that we need to remove phosphorous from our waste water. Phosphorous is causing some real problems in the Mississippi (River). So, we did a study and to meet both of our needs, in terms of upgrading the plant just from wearing out, and the phosphorous, it’s going to be about a $35 million project. So, this year, we’ll be starting design on that project and we’ll be figuring out exactly how we’re going to pay for that,” Karls said.

Karls said the State of Illinois has a low interest loan program, which the City is looking to apply for. For more information, the forum with Karls is available here.