On April 23, 2024, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will invest in 14 urban water quality projects across the state.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing $3.6 million which will leverage an investment of approximately $10 million across 14 projects. The Department will provide cost-share grants that cover up to 50% of the total of each project utilizing funding from the state’s Water Quality Initiative (WQI) and other sources.
“Regardless of whether you live in a big city, a small town or on a family farm, all Iowans can play an active role in conserving and protecting our precious natural resources, including our soil and water. Over the past decade, the Department has invested in more than 120 urban water quality projects, working alongside local partners to accelerate our statewide water quality progress,” said Naig in a press release.
The projects include water quality practices like bioretention cells, bioswales, native plantings, permeable pavers, rain gardens, soil quality restoration and wetlands.
The Department provides financial and technical assistance to the communities and organizations implementing these urban water quality practices. In order to receive state funding, the projects must include education and outreach components and involve local partners. The community-based projects are meant to raise awareness about new stormwater management methods and encourage others to adopt similar measures to improve water quality.
“Through this exciting partnership with the City of Davenport on the Goose Creek project, we will demonstrate how innovative practices can both improve the quality of the water leaving a residential area while also providing habitat and recreation for those enjoying a community park,” said Naig in the release.
