By Associated Press - Wednesday, May 14, 2014

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to declare a central Illinois aquifer an important drinking water source and protect it from potential pollution.

Durbin submitted comments to the agency on Tuesday, as it began two days of public hearings on a plan to store toxic waste at the Clinton Landfill. It’s located above the Mahomet aquifer, which supplies drinking water to more than a half-million people.

Opponents of the waste plan want the EPA to declare the aquifer a principal source of drinking water. That would allow the EPA to review any project planned for land above the aquifer that receives federal funds.

Durbin says “special care” must be taken to ensure safe drinking water.

Tuesday’s hearing was in Champaign and Wednesday’s is in Morton.

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