SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is leading legislation that would allow the use of municipal wastewater for industrial processing, reclaiming it from a variety of sources.

“Utilizing treated wastewater reflects our commitment to sustainable resource management,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This initiative not only conserves water but also supports environmental resilience.”

By reclaiming water from a variety of sources, treating it and reusing it, industrial wastewater could be used for power generation or cooling of data centers. Because this water may have limited contact with humans, it tends to be less costly and less energy intensive to treat and reuse, ultimately saving money and resources for communities.

House Bill 2391 would allow the use of treated municipal wastewater for industrial purposes.

“We need to rethink how we use every drop,” said Simmons. “Recycling treated wastewater is a smart, forward-thinking way to conserve resources and protect our environment.”

House Bill 2391 passed the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee on Thursday.

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