Ammons Bill Protecting Local Drinking Water Passes Both Chambers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Working toward conserving local drinking water for Central Illinoisans, state Rep. and House Energy & Environment Committee Chair Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, has successfully passed a bicameral measure protecting critical sources of drinking water like the Mahomet Aquifer from underground pollution.

“When state Sen. Faraci and I introduced this legislation, our goal was to ensure our Central Illinois communities will have access to clean water for generations. Families should never have to worry about whether or not they’ll have access to safe drinking water,” said Ammons. “By getting this measure through the finish line we’re making it crystal clear that essential resources like water will never be corporatized here in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1723 will protect critical sources of drinking water like the Mahomet Aquifer from pollution by restricting carbon sequestration — a process involving injecting captured carbon underground — in areas that overlie or are near sole-source aquifers. The measure will also create a Mahomet Aquifer Advisory Study Commission in collaboration with the University of Illinois to assess the safety and risks associated with carbon storage that can affect humans, animals, and environmental health.

“More than 15 counties directly depend on the Mahomet Aquifer; without action, these counties would have no economic alternative for safe drinking water,” said Ammons. “Because of our community’s diligence to this issue, we had momentous support for the restriction of carbon sequestration — securing our neighbors’ rights to local safe water which is imperative for the health and safety of every community.”

Senate Bill 1723 passed favorably out of the Senate chamber last month. Ammons led the legislation successfully through the House chamber, where it now awaits the governor’s signature for final consideration.