R2026-134 Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding for Development of a Regional Integrated Plan for Wastewater and Stormwater for Decatur, Illinois

Home Browse Search

SDD SDDCLEANWATER.ORG SANITARY DISTRICT OF DECATUR, IL 501 Dipper Lane • Decatur,IL 62522 June 29, 2026 To City Council of Decatur: The Sanitary District of Decatur has a Total Phosphorus limit of 1.0 mg/I to be met by 2029 and 0.5 mg/I by the year 2035 to be in compliance with our NPDES (National Pollutants Discharge Elimination System) permit. Reduction of the nutrients, specifically Phosphorus, being discharged to the Sangamon River has been our main focus for years and will be for years moving forward. The 1.0 mg/I will be feasible, but the 0.5 mg/I will be a difficult limit to meet. As a refresher, Phosphorus is by-product of grain processing and the concentration of processing facilities in Decatur makes SDD the largest single point source for Phosphorus in Illinois and possibly in the country. SDD does not currently treat the wastewater to remove nutrients so this requirement is going to take significant effort and resources to accomplish. SDD, ADM and Primient will be spending hundreds of millions of dollars to comply with no economic return on the investment. Environmental groups from outside Decatur are pushing for even stricter limits which will have limited benefit and cost even more. We understand that community resources are limited, and other water related issues can have a greater impact on the health of the community and environment. Many of these projects are outside the purview of SDD including drinking water (quality and supply), stormwater and industrial water supply. Part of the Sanitary District's approach to complying with our permit includes the development of an Integrated Plan (IP) for the Decatur community. The goal is to prioritize water projects in the entire community so that projects with the most impact are completed first and other projects are completed as funds are available. IP was added to the Clean Water Act in 2019 and provides a clear roadmap for community-defined, high priority projects avoiding protracted battles over permit conditions or enforcement actions. The IP is intended to assist utilities in establishing a shared vision, prioritizing environmental mandates, and adaptively managing its assets to provide the greatest environmental and public health benefits. SDD is willing to take the lead on developing the Integrated Plan, but we cannot accomplish this on our own and will need support from the City. If the Integrated Plan fails, the residents and businesses of Decatur will spend resources as dictated by those outside the community rather than on the projects that have the most impact and are coordinated to reduce large tax and fee increases from hitting residents and businesses as the same time.