GPSD - History

The Greater Peoria Sanitary and Sewage Disposal District is a special governmental unit organized in 1927 by Illinois statue for the purpose of treating sewage before it is discharged into the Illinois River.

A Board of five Trustees appointed by the Chairperson of the County Board oversees the operation of the District. Board meetings are held monthly.

Since 1927, the District has expanded its operational area to include the Cities of Peoria, and West Peoria, Villages of Bartonville and Peoria Heights, and some unincorporated areas principally west of the City of Peoria. The District’s corporate limits encompasses approximately 65 square miles.

Construction Photo 1930, Click to Enlarge

The District is responsible not only for treating sewage and meeting increasingly strict environmental standards, but also sewer collection system construction and maintenance. The public sewer system consists of approximately 643 miles of sewer operated and maintained by District staff. Of this 643 miles, 204 miles are owned by the City of Peoria and maintained by agreement on a reimbursement basis.

The District implemented a sewer user charge system in 1978. The state grant program in accordance with federal grant conditions required that the District develop a sewer user charge system to fund operational, maintenance and replacement expenditures. Prior to 1978, the District was funded primarily through advalorem property taxes. The District no longer collects any revenue through property taxes. Sewer user charges are based on water consumption data. The majority of this data is provided by three water supply utilities.