Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings announced a new funding opportunity to fund projects addressing emerging contaminants in drinking and/or source water in small or disadvantaged communities. The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program will provide over $40 million to assist communities in completing construction projects to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) or Manganese in drinking and/or source water. Applicants that qualify will be awarded based on the funding needs of the project, with a limit of $15 million per applicant. Eligible costs will include design engineering, construction engineering, and construction costs incurred after January 1, 2025. All required forms and information are available on the Illinois EPA’s EC-SDC webpage and in Amplifund. Applications will be accepted until 1:00 PM (CST) August 31, 2026. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Applications must be submitted within the Amplifund program at the link found here:  https://il.amplifund.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/7743455c-99a7-4f32-a8f7-babd11bfa5ba. For more information, visit the Illinois EPA’s website at https://epa.illinois.gov/.