Katz Muhl Passes Freshwater Conservation Bill Out of Key Committee, Measure Moves to House Floor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl, D-Northbrook, is working to preserve access to clean drinking water by unanimously passing a bill out of the House Energy & Environment Committee expanding the use of treated water for industrial purposes in order to conserve our supply of freshwater for individual use.

“In the near future, fresh water will begin to be of greater and greater importance to the economy and the health of our communities due to increasing scarcity,” Katz Muhl said. “Illinois and the Midwest currently have plenty of fresh water, but that doesn’t mean we should squander it. This legislation expands the number of use cases for treated municipal wastewater and thereby enables us to conserve more of what we have without sacrificing productivity.”

Katz Muhl’s House Bill 2391 makes it unequivocally clear that treated municipal wastewater can be put to industrial use. Current law permits it to be used for irrigation, but is unclear as to whether it can be used for industrial applications. The bill was passed unanimously by the 26-member Energy & Environment Committee and now moves to consideration by the full House of Representatives.

“Allowing the beneficial reuse of municipal treated water means we can reduce taxpayer costs, prevent unnecessary climate-changing emissions, and help local businesses,” Katz Muhl said. “This bill puts Illinois at the leading edge of efficient, smart water reuse policy.”