Glen Carbon Receives $1.1 Million for New Water Treatment Facility

GLEN CARBON - Village of Glen Carbon officials gathered to greet Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski as she presented the village with $1.1 million for a water infrastructure project.

“I’m just thrilled to be here to bring you some good news,” Budzinski said. “These investments will make a real lasting difference in health, safety and the quality of life for all of our communities in central and southern Illinois.”

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, Budzinski and Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus explained that the money will go toward building Glen Carbon’s own water treatment facility. The new water treatment facility will be able to process three million gallons of water a day.

Glen Carbon currently buys its water from Illinois Water. Marcus noted the importance of bringing the water treatment facility to Glen Carbon.

“Several years ago, we decided it would be a good idea for Glen Carbon to explore the option of building our own water plant, because we thought it'd be good for the village,” Marcus said. “We have some wonderful residential and commercial growth, and the water plant would support that. We would be in control of production, maintenance rates and water treatment. And we thought that would be the best way. Glen Carbon does best when it invests in itself. And so I cannot think of a better way besides investing in our future with a water plant.”

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Marcus said the plant’s design work is complete, and they are currently accepting bids. After bids are received in February, the village will explore further financing options.

Budzinski pointed to affordability as a major benefit. She believes Glen Carbon will be able to “control some of the costs” associated with utility and water prices once the facility is built.

She shared that this is one of 15 community projects to receive federal funding, including two water infrastructure projects in Cahokia Heights, through an appropriations bill that passed the House last week. However, she said there is “maybe a hiccup here” as the Senate still has to vote on this bill, and funding for the Department of Homeland Security is also included in this bill.

Many politicians are asking to pull out the Department of Homeland Security item to vote separately on this item and allow the rest of the appropriations bill to pass. Budzinski said this is “something [to] keep an eye on,” but emphasized that there is “a four-corner agreement that will get this done.”

She added that bringing federal money to communities like Glen Carbon is “the highlight of [her] career.”

“It makes an idea and a project that will benefit a community a reality, and so I am just thrilled to be a part of it,” she said.

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