Rep. Miller Announced $4.5 Million for Rural Water Infrastructure Expansion Benefiting Seven Illinois Counties

Image November 2, 2026 Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) announced $4.5 million in federal funding to support the expansion of EJ Water Cooperative’s Delbert Mundt Water Treatment Plant. The investment will double the facility’s treatment capacity, strengthening access to reliable water service for families, farmers, and businesses across seven Central Illinois counties: Shelby, Effingham, Montgomery, Fayette, Cumberland, Christian, and Clay. “Our farmers, small businesses, and rural communities are the backbone of America, and they deserve the infrastructure necessary to thrive. I’m proud to have secured $4.5 million to support this critical expansion in Illinois’ 15th District,” said Congresswoman Mary Miller. “This investment will meet growing demand and strengthen the essential infrastructure that families and businesses across our rural communities will depend on for generations.” Background: Founded in 1989, EJ Water Cooperative is the largest rural water cooperative in Illinois, serving a rural population of more than 48,000 residents. The Delbert Mundt Water Treatment Plant was constructed in 2010 near Beecher City and serves EJ Water’s fastest-growing western service area. As demand continues to increase, EJ Water has expanded its infrastructure to support rural communities, including the construction of a 250-million-gallon reservoir in 2023. The cooperative also works with smaller municipalities facing aging or inadequate water treatment facilities, helping provide dependable, affordable water service to underserved communities throughout Central Illinois.