Three environmental groups this week dropped their appeal of a decision to allow an Elgin sewage treatment plant to more than triple the amount of treated wastewater discharged into the Fox River.
The Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club, Friends of the Fox River and Prairie Rivers Network reached a settlement with the Fox River Water Reclamation District that requires the district’s west plant to make changes if needed to protect the river’s water quality, said Friends President Cindy Skrukrud, the groups’ representative to the Fox River Study Group.
The study group of officials from treatment plants, environmental groups and state agencies was formed after the appeal was filed, she said.
The expansion of the plant, which serves primarily Elgin and South Elgin, is slated to be ready in a year, said district General Manager Greg Hergenroeder.