DES MOINES, Iowa — More than a dozen Iowa communities will receive at least $200,000 each to improve their water quality due to grants from the state, the Iowa Finance Authority announced Monday.
The grants total $6.2 million and are provided by the Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance program. This program was created as part of Senate File 512, the first legislation ever signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds back in 2018.
The program receives its funding by collecting a portion of the tax on metered water. In 2021, it had more than $6 million available for allocation, according to Reynolds' office. These grants will be awarded through the program on a yearly basis through 2039.
Here's a look at what communities will receive funds and their estimates on current water quality projects:
Adel
Located in Dallas County, Adel will receive $300,000 for its new wastewater treatment facility. In total, the project is estimated to cost the city $17,370,000.
Auburn
The City of Auburn, which is in Sac County, is set to receive $100,000 for water treatment improvements. The total cost of this project is $175,000.
Boone
The central Iowa town will receive $200,000 from the state for its wastewater treatment improvements. The Iowa Finance Authority says its project, which includes a UV disinfection system, is estimated to cost $1,948,500.
Britt
Located in Hancock County, the City of Britt will receive half a million dollars for water storage and its new water treatment facility. The project in total is estimated to cost the city $9,028,500.
Carlisle
The state awarded Carlisle, which is in both Polk and Warren Counties, with half a million dollars as well. This grant will help the city improve water distribution. The total project is estimated to cost $3,900,000.
City Administrator Deven Markley told Local 5 the news "definitely helps the year start on the right foot!"
The city's Avon Lake Watermain Improvement Project will provide a looped 12-inch water main connection to a dead-end water main near Heartland Coop and General Mills on the north side of Carlisle, according to Markley. That main will help out folks who live in Avon, an unincorporated community in Polk County.
"We have partnered with Polk County to expand the project to include 6-inch water main and curb stops throughout that community so those residents are able to connect to our water distribution network if they would like," Markley said in an email. "This partnership has been mutually beneficial as it allows both entities a way to offer high-quality water to approximately 150 residences who are currently on private wells."
Polk County will be funding around $2.5 million for the project, with Carlisle picking up the rest.
Chariton
In south-central Iowa, the City of Chariton is looking to improve its wastewater treatment with its grant of $500,000. The improvements include a UV disinfection system and post-aeration system improvements. The project overall is estimated to cost $3,578,000.
In an email, City Manager Laura Liegois explained where funds for the rest of the project will come from:
"The City has secured a State Revolving Loan to pay for the project upfront, but the loan would be repaid for by sewer rates by the users of the Chariton Sewer System. The grant will allow for relief of $500,000.00 on our residents and businesses that pay for the sewer fees on the project."
Winneshiek County — Festina
Festina is an unincorporated community in Winneshiek County in northeast Iowa. They were awarded $300,000 for wastewater treatment improvements. The project overall is estimated to cost the community $899,700.
Grandview
The program awarded Grandview with half a million dollars to improve wastewater treatment, including a submerged attached growth reactor and a UV disinfection system. The overall cost of the project is estimated to be $3,732,500.
Grandview is located in Louisa County in southeast Iowa.
Hartford
Located in Warren County, Hartford will be awarded half a million dollars to add a UV disinfection system and a NitrOx reactor to its wastewater treatment improvements. The overall cost of the project is estimated to be $3.3 million.
Indianola
Indianola will also receive half a million dollars for water quality improvements. The city will use that money for a new wastewater treatment facility, which is expected to cost $57 million.
Lake Park
The City of Lake Park, located in Dickinson County, will receive $300,000 for its own wastewater treatment facility. That project is estimated to cost $7.1 million.
McGregor
Half a million dollars will be awarded to McGregor, which is located in Clayton County. Those funds will be used for water and sewer transmission improvements.
The overall cost of the project is estimated to cost $9,458,795.
Mount Ayr
A total of $300,000 will be awarded to Mount Ayr, located in Ringgold County, for wastewater transmission improvements. The cost of the project is estimated to cost $866,400.
City Administrator Brent Wise told Local 5 the city is "very fortunate" to receive this grant. The remaining funds for the project will come from the city's operating funds as an SRF loan.
The city also hopes to attain funds from the Community Development Block Grant. Wise told Local 5 that the city is facing an approximate $9 million sewer renovation.
"We are in process of working with USDA and our engineering firm Garden and Associates ( Mark Fincel) to establish a path for the city to possibly complete this very large sewer project. We have a lot of work to do and we are taking one step at a time," Wise said in an email.
Perry
The City of Perry will receive half a million dollars for its new wastewater treatment facility. The overall cost of that project is estimated to be over $30 million.
"This project has been a large undertaking for the city financially so multiple sources have been sought out to help cover the costs and lessen the impact to its residents," said City Administrator Sven Peterson in an email. "Perry was able to secure a CDBG grant of $600,000 from Iowa Economic Development Authority, as well as using local funds set aside toward the project. All remaining project costs are covered through an Iowa State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan that will be paid back over the next 30 years."
Treynor
Located in Pottawattamie County, the City of Treynor will be awarded $300,000 to assist with its wastewater treatment improvements, including a LemTech polishing reactor and UV disinfection. The overall estimated cost for that project is $4,871,522.
Wheatland
Wheatland, located in Clinton County, will receive $400,000 for wastewater treatment improvements, which include a LemTec polishing reactor. The overall cost for its project is $1,107,200.
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