The DuPage County Stormwater Management Planning Committee voted recently to approve the 2024 recipients of the County’s Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) grant. The Committee selected four projects, all of which aim to improve the quality of DuPage’s streams and rivers.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the WQIP grant’s existence. "We've hit a big milestone with this program, a chance to reflect on the immense improvements these funds have contributed to over the years," said DuPage County Stormwater Management Committee Chairman Jim Zay. "To date, the County has provided funding for 112 water quality projects."
The Water Quality Improvement Program awards up to 25 percent of funding for projects exhibiting a regional water quality benefit. DuPage County received nine applications this year for projects totaling more than $10.5 million. The Stormwater Committee awarded $310,000 to this year's four recipients and projects, including:
- Village of Willowbrook's Borse Park Stream and Pond Enhancement
- Village of Carol Stream's Klein Creek Streambank Stabilization – Section III
- Village of Glendale Heights' Lake Becerra Shoreline Stabilization and
- City of Naperville's Permeable Pavers at the Community Garden Plots
"Streambank and lakeshore stabilization projects were the big winners this year, and we’re excited to support this restoration work on both small and large scales," added Zay. "All of these projects will not only improve water quality, they will also greatly improve the aesthetics of their surroundings. Beautiful, high-quality streams and ponds invite DuPage County residents to appreciate our natural resources and take action to protect them."
For more information about the Water Quality Improvement Program and past recipients, please visit the County’s website.
