Civil engineering firm, Heneghan and Associates, P.C., has been given the green light to proceed with their design work and permitting process of southern Illinois' Gateway Regional Water Company's water treatment plant and pipeline project. The $13 million project is being funded by Rural Development, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and a Build Illinois grant.

Gateway Regional Water Company is a not-for-profit water supplier that will offer potable water to four communities (Alma, Flora, Iuka, and Xenia) and five rural water distribution systems, currently supplying portions of six counties (Clay, Clinton, Fayette, Jefferson, Marion, and Wayne).

Dean Heneghan, President of Heneghan and Associates, P.C., stated, "Upon completion of the design work, easement acquisition, and permit approval, construction should begin in late 2003." The initial regional water project will supply water to 16,000 to 20,000 individuals and should be operational by 2005.

The three million gallons per day plant will treat water from Carlyle Lake and be distributed to the participating entities through an innovative use of waterlines, pump stations, and ground and elevated tanks. The treatment plant will include many state of the art processes and controls. "The hydraulic design of a regional system such as Gateway will be challenging," said Heneghan.

Heneghan and Associates specializes in doing rural and municipal water work. The firm also has regional offices in Centralia, and Effingham. They provide civil engineering and land surveying services to state, county, municipal and private clients throughout central and southern Illinois.

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