Flooded wastewater plant is a major concern for Spring Valley

The Spring Valley wastewater plant nearly went under water during the flood of 2008 but it wasn’t so lucky this time.

The sewage plant has been submerged, leaving sewage to go untreated into the river.  It’s a major concern for Mayor Cliff Banks.  He says they’ll begin pumping water out of the plant as soon as the river recedes.  He says they have several millions dollars of insurance for the plant.  Banks visited Utica Sunday along with Governor Pat Quinn.

La Salle’s old wastewater plant went underwater in 2008.  Several million dollars later it was restored and recently a dike was built around it to prevent future flooding.  It worked.

Gov. Quinn visits local towns affected by flooding

Nine years ago Utica was dealt a tough blow with a deadly tornado.  The next day the governor at the time came to survey the damage.  Utica received another visit from a governor Sunday, this time to see the homes and businesses damaged by flooding.

While standing in a parking lot that was underwater just the day before, Governor Pat Quinn stressed how important it is for the communities to come together and help their neighbors.

Quinn along with State Senator Sue Rezin and State Representative Frank Mautino also visited Ottawa, Morris and Marseilles.

Marseilles is suffering the most damage with an estimated 250 homes affected, 1000 people, and even their grade school.

An estimated 35 homes and businesses were damaged by the river waters in Utica.  More homes and businesses were damaged by flash flooding along Clark’s Creek.

And the sewage from Spring Valley is flowing downstream because their wastewater treatment plant was overtaken by the river.

Quinn says they’ll have to keep pushing for federal money.  He says the state has allocated a lot of resources to help the people along the Illinois River and the Mississippi.

What was the motivation?

Boston’s police commissioner says the lone surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing is in serious condition and authorities have not been able to try to interrogate him. Commissioner Edward Davis also tells CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the crime scene from the early morning firefight in Watertown, Mass., on Friday was “littered” with unexploded improvised explosive devices. Davis says he believes the suspects were planning more attacks.

Illinois River continues to recede

A reason for optimism as the river level at LaSalle continue to drop. Just before Noon, the National Weather Service indicated the Illinois at 32.8 feet compared with 33.3 this morning and 34.3 on Saturday. It’s expected to drop to 32 feet by Monday morning and remain above flood stage all week.