Mary Capterton Morton

This post is part of a series of case studies developed with utility partners and the WUCA Equity Subcommittee to spotlight practical climate approaches and lessons from the field. Below is an abridged version; for the full narrative and details, download Climate Investments that Support Underserved Communities. As climate change and extreme weather events damage and reshape our communities, these impacts are felt unequally.

Decatur, IL is a city in Macon County—right in the center of Illinois—that is home to approximately 70,000 people. Decatur (“the City”) owns and operates a drinking water system that serves around 76,000 people as well as a few large industrial customers. Over the last couple of decades, the City has experienced some loss of the residential population, coupled with industrial growth, including potential development of data centers.

Congress has not yet approved Fiscal Year 2026 funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which represent a significant federal investment in our nation’s drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure. The Senate appropriations bill maintains current spending levels for the Funds, while the current House version proposes cutting the Funds by $664 million, or 24%.