June 02, 2025

Now that the city is “full steam ahead” on Freeport’s $60 million Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade — with Fehr Graham at the helm — concerned residents across Stephenson County are asking if Freeport is blindly following in Shannon’s troubled footsteps.

In Shannon, where Fehr Graham managed a nearly decade-long overhaul of the village’s water system, residents say the project has failed to deliver the clean, safe water they were promised. While Village officials and Fehr Graham will host a presentation and Q&A tomorrow, June 3rd, to tout their progress, tensions are already running high.

Local social media forums are filled with complaints: cloudy water, odd tastes and smells, spotty pressure, and — above all — a nagging fear that after millions in taxpayer-backed loans, nothing has truly changed.

“We were told this project would fix everything. But the water still looks bad, it smells funny sometimes, and nobody seems to be listening,” one Shannon resident posted ahead of the June 3rd meeting. “Now they want us to be grateful?”

The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), released just ahead of the Q&A, claims there were “no violations” in 2024 and that contaminants were “well within” legal limits. But many Shannon residents — some dealing with visible water issues at home — aren’t convinced.

The report also relies heavily on the assertion that Shannon’s groundwater source is “not susceptible” to contamination, based on geological data. But that rings hollow for residents who still vividly remember the discovery of radium and gross alpha particles exceeding federal safety standards, prompting a full-blown EPA Compliance Commitment Agreement.

Fehr Graham's Growing Footprint — and Paychecks

The new wastewater plant in Freeport is being managed, designed, and overseen by Fehr Graham — the same firm responsible for Shannon’s troubled system. In both cases, Fehr Graham helped secure massive IEPA loans: $5.2 million for Shannon and nearly $60 million for Freeport.

But with every project milestone, so too grows Fehr Graham’s payday.

Shannon's project, once estimated at $4 million, ballooned with expanded treatment plans and delayed timelines. Residents say Fehr Graham pushed for added features like barium removal and tower painting — all while rates climbed and confidence declined and Fehr Graham profited. By the end, even supporters admitted the project dragged on for years and cost far more than anyone expected.

“It feels like we built a Ferrari when all we needed was a Honda,” one resident said. “And now they’re doing it all over again in Freeport.”

In Freeport, the firm has already helped secure $5 million in loan forgiveness from the state. The city has quietly raised utility rates leaving residents confused as to the meaning of “Forgivable Loans” — again echoing the path taken by Shannon.

“We’re just supposed to sit back and trust Fehr Graham with another $60 million, without even questioning it?” a Freeport resident questioned after a recent city council meeting. “Shannon trusted them too — look how that turned out.”

Public Accountability or Private Profit?

Critics point out that Fehr Graham is more than just an engineering consultant in these projects — they’re project managers, compliance liaisons, funding advisors, and construction overseers. That level of control, with no third-party review, makes some question whether the firm is serving the public — or simply profiting from their dependency.

Tomorrow night’s meeting in Shannon is shaping up to be less of a celebration and more of a confrontation. Residents are expected to show up with bottled samples, photos, and stories — not to thank Fehr Graham, but to demand answers.

Meanwhile, Freeport residents are watching closely — knowing they’re next in line.

A Tale of Two Cities, One Firm

Both Shannon and Freeport trusted Fehr Graham to safeguard their most vital resource — water. Both towns took on long-term debt, raised rates, and handed the same firm near-total control. But while Shannon residents are left asking what went wrong, Freeport is just beginning its journey — and some fear they’re already repeating the same mistakes.

Because at the end of the day, clean water isn’t about loan forgiveness, compliance reports, or ribbon cuttings. It’s about trust — and for many, that trust is gone.

CALL TO ACTION

📍 Freeport Residents: Join your neighbors in Shannon on Tuesday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM at the Village Board Meeting. Hear directly from Shannon’s water superintendent and Fehr Graham officials — and from the residents still dealing with the aftermath of their costly water project.

Don’t wait for Freeport to find itself in the same situation. Ask questions. Demand accountability. Make sure history isn’t about to repeat itself — just 30 miles down the road.