Blog Post by Mila Marshall, Clean Water Advocate
January brings with it the energy of newness. The Clean Water Team is excited for new relationships with volunteers, new opportunities to engage diverse communities, and new pieces of legislation that will help address the many complex water issues that threaten the health and wellbeing of Illinoisans. As we prepare to continue this critical work in 2022, we are reflecting on the Water Team’s victories in 2021 in order to build momentum and learn from previous challenges.
Last year demonstrated how valuable legislation can be for advancing clean water for all Illinoisans. In August, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, which creates a path for resources from federal infrastructure legislation that could require lead pipe replacements across the nation. This legislation is critical, as Illinois has more lead pipes than any other state. Chicago alone has nearly 400,000 lead-service lines for drinking water, more than any other U.S. city. We can be proud that Illinois is one of the few states in the country that mandates full lead service line replacement.
In addition, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill that phases out usage of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, which can contaminate groundwater across the state. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment or the human body. PFAS pose a significant threat to public health, and this legislation that phases out the usage of these chemicals in fire-fighting foam is a step in the right direction.
The Water Team also pursued legal avenues to protect water quality in Illinois. In November, Sierra Club and Prairie Rivers Network filed a Notice of Intent to Sue Sugar Camp Energy and American Consolidated Natural Resources due to the Sugar Camp coal mine’s violations of the Clean Water Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. This announcement came on the heels of the report that operators at the Sugar Camp Mine dumped 46,000 gallons of fire fighting foam, including at least 660 gallons of concentrated PFAS-based foam, deep into the underground mine in an unsuccessful attempt to extinguish a fire. Just this month, the Illinois Attorney General’s office filed a complaint against Foresight Energy, the company that owns Sugar Camp Mine, as well. Sierra Club plans to continue to monitor this developing situation and ensure the local community is protected from further harm.
Finally, the Water Team continued its work to build relationships and community with stakeholders and community groups across Illinois, create new opportunities for our volunteers to monitor and track state water permits, and learn how to better translate nutrient loss strategies across the state. As we reflect on the progress made in 2021, we are cognizant of the challenges we face in the new year and the work that still needs to be done. Climate change continues to threaten Illinois, and our volunteers and staff are rising to meet the moment. Heavy rain events continue to increase urban flooding, compromising the most vulnerable communities. Torrential rains also compromise and stress our agricultural sector and overwhelm our combined sewage overflow infrastructure. Indeed, the state of Illinois still has a long way to go as it pertains to water quality, affordability and equity.
There are many lessons from 2021 that we are bringing into 2022. We learned by listening to our volunteers who have been on the ground talking to decision makers, showing up to community and partner meetings, and living the Sierra Club's commitment to inclusivity and equity. Our very first volunteer survey was completed last year, which gave us a wealth of information to help guide our priorities and better understand our volunteer assets. We are so ready to continue building upon this work in 2022. We look forward to continuing to advocate, lobby and educate Illinois on the precious life-giving resource we all need to live. Water is life and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share our time and energy with you all because we will always be better together.